Kilkenny–Waterford hurling rivalry

In this article, the topic of Kilkenny–Waterford hurling rivalry will be addressed from a broad and detailed perspective. Through an exhaustive analysis, different aspects related to Kilkenny–Waterford hurling rivalry will be explored, including its origin, evolution and relevance today. Different points of view, theories and studies on Kilkenny–Waterford hurling rivalry will be examined, in order to provide a comprehensive and enriching vision on this topic. In addition, concrete examples and practical cases will be analyzed that illustrate the importance and influence of Kilkenny–Waterford hurling rivalry in different contexts. Finally, reflections and conclusions will be proposed that invite readers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Kilkenny–Waterford hurling rivalry.

Kilkenny-Waterford
LocationCounty Kilkenny
County Waterford
Teams Kilkenny
Waterford
First meetingKilkenny 4–10 – 3–12 Waterford
1957 All-Ireland final
(1 September 1957)
Latest meetingWaterford 2–27 – 2–23 Kilkenny
2020 All-Ireland Semi Final
(28 November 2020)
Statistics
Meetings total15
Most player appearances Michael Walsh (9)
Top scorer T. J. Reid (3–44)
All-time seriesKilkenny 10–3 Waterford
(2 draws)
Largest victoryKilkenny 3–30 – 1–13 Waterford
2008 All-Ireland final
(7 September 2008)

The Kilkenny-Waterford rivalry is a hurling rivalry between Irish county teams Kilkenny and Waterford, who first played each other in 1957. In spite of the infrequent nature of the meetings, it is considered to be one of the most intense rivalry matches in Gaelic games. Kilkenny's home ground is Nowlan Park and Waterford's home ground is Walsh Park, however, all of their championship meetings have been held at neutral venues, usually Croke Park.

While Kilkenny have the highest number of All-Ireland and Leinster titles, Waterford have enjoyed success at sporadic intervals throughout their history winning just two All-Ireland titles.

Roots

History

Kilkenny are one of the most successful teams in the championship, having captured thirty six All-Ireland titles, and together with Cork and Tipperary form hurling's 'Big Three'. Waterford, on the other hand, have had sporadic periods of success throughout championship history resulting in two only All-Ireland titles. After a golden age for the team in the 1950s and 1960s Waterford went into severe decline in subsequent decades.

The Kilkenny – Waterford hurling rivalry first began in 1957 with their first meeting in the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Kilkenny won on a scoreline of 4–10 to 3–12. Two years later, in 1959, the teams played out a draw. Until 2012, this had been the last drawn game in the All-Ireland Hurling Final. The replay saw Waterford win their 2nd, and last to date All-Ireland Hurling Championship. The game was also notable for the Kilkenny debut of Eddie Keher. The two teams also met in the 1963 Final, with Kilkenny winning. This would be the last game between the two teams for 35 years.

During the 1990s and 2000s, Waterford hurling experienced a resurgence after the dark periods of the 1970s and 1980s. Waterford met Kilkenny in two semi-finals in both 1998 and 2004, with Waterford losing in two close battles. Having not played in a final since 1963, Waterford again met Kilkenny in the 2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final. Since then, the two teams have met in three Semi-finals and a qualifier. Kilkenny were triumphant on all occasions except 2016 where the sides drew.

Outside hurling

The intensity of the rivalry has also been stoked outside hurling. The two counties share a border, splitting the village of Ferrybank in two. Future expansion of County Waterford into County Kilkenny has been muted which has heightened the rivalry.

Statistics

Up to date as of 2023 National Hurling League

Team All-Ireland Provincial National League Total
Kilkenny 36 74 19 129
Waterford 2 9 4 15
Combined 38 83 23 144

Inter-county results

Legend

Kilkenny win
Waterford win
Draw

Senior

No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 1 September 1957 Kilkenny (1) 4–10 – 3–12 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland final
2. 6 September 1959 Kilkenny 5–5 – 1–17 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland final
3. 4 October 1959 Waterford (1) 3–12 – 1–10 Kilkenny Croke Park All-Ireland final replay
4. 1 September 1963 Kilkenny (2) 4–17 – 6–8 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland final
5. 16 August 1998 Kilkenny (3) 1–11 – 1–10 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
6. 8 August 2004 Kilkenny (4) 3–12 – 0–18 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
7. 7 September 2008 Kilkenny (5) 3–30 – 1–13 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland final
8. 9 August 2009 Kilkenny (6) 2–23 – 3–15 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
9. 7 August 2011 Kilkenny (7) 2–19 – 1–16 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
10. 13 July 2013 Kilkenny (8) 1–22 – 2–16 Waterford Semple Stadium All-Ireland qualifiers
11. 9 August 2015 Kilkenny (9) 1–21 – 0–18 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
12. 7 August 2016 Kilkenny 1–21 – 0–24 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
13. 13 August 2016 Kilkenny (10) 2–19 – 2–17 Waterford Semple Stadium All-Ireland semi-final replay
14. 8 July 2017 Waterford (2) 4–23 – 2–22 Kilkenny Semple Stadium All-Ireland qualifiers
15. 28 November 2020 Waterford (3) 2-27 – 2-23 Kilkenny Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final

Under-21

No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 8 September 1974 Kilkenny (1) 3–8 – 3–7 Waterford Semple Stadium All-Ireland final
2. 21 August 1994 Kilkenny (2) 2–21 – 3–6 Waterford Semple Stadium All-Ireland semi-final

Minor

No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 5 September 1948 Waterford (1) 3–8 – 4–2 Kilkenny Croke Park All-Ireland final
2. 23 July 2011 Waterford (2) 0–15 – 0–9 Kilkenny Walsh Park All-Ireland quarter-final
3. 11 August 2013 Waterford (3) 2–12 – 0–16 Kilkenny Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final
4. 10 August 2014 Kilkenny (1) 1–23 – 1–14 Waterford Croke Park All-Ireland semi-final

Club results

Kilkenny win
Waterford win
Draw

Senior

No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1. 16 May 1982 James Stephens (1) 3–13 – 3–8 Mount Sion Croke Park All-Ireland final
2. 09 Feb 2019 Ballyhale Shamrocks (2) 1–15 – 0–13 Ballygunner Semple Stadium All-Ireland semi-final

Records

Scorelines

Most appearances

Team Player Championship games Total
Kilkenny T. J. Reid 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2016 (replay), 2017, 2020 8
Waterford Michael Walsh 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2016 (replay), 2017 9

Top scorers

Team Player Score Total
Kilkenny T. J. Reid 3–44 53
Waterford Pauric Mahony 0–31 31

References

  1. ^ "Golden era of Waterford-Kilkenny rivalry". The Munster Express. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2013.

External links

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia