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Austin Gleeson was one of Waterford's star performers on Sunday. Cathal Noonan/INPHO
Rising To The Cats

'We just went out like animals today and we'll have to do that again next week'

Twelve months on Waterford pushed Kilkenny all the way.

WHEN KILKENNY AND Waterford crossed paths in August 2015, the game unfolded with a stronger more seasoned side keeping a young and emerging outfit at bay.

The Waterford hurlers reflected after on how the ferocity of the Kilkenny challenge shocked them, their physicality in the All-Ireland semi-final was something that Derek McGrath’s team were unaccustomed to.

On Sunday Waterford posed a different type of challenge. They attacked Kilkenny with a forcefulness from the outset and were more equipped for the physical engagement.

“We just went out like animals today,” admitted Austin Gleeson.

“It’s just we worked a lot harder, and that’s the way it is – we worked a lot harder today. Last year has been emphasised by the players, it was men against boys but today we set our stall out that we weren’t going to be run over.

“We matched them for what we thought might win us the game and we were very close.”

The spoils were within their grasp until Walter Walsh plundered the only goal of the game in the 69th minute. Even in that concession, Gleeson sourced positives.

“We were given absolutely no hope coming up here and to put put in a performance like that and be five points up with 15 minutes to go. The goal was a sucker punch.

“When they got the goal a team of old might have ducked away and left it go but we just going and going and going.

“At least we didn’t lose the game. That’s another consolation and we have another go on Saturday night.”

The clash is transported to a different venue on Saturday night and a more familiar setting for this Waterford team.

Semple Stadium is a venue the team have been exposed to regularly and one which will entice their supporters to attend.

“It’s the sixth or seventh time we’re after playing there this year. It’s like a second home for us at this stage I’d say.

“Kilkenny are Kilkenny and even if we play them in the middle of the road, it’s going to be the same kind of thing I suppose. So we just need to bring the fight to them.”

The Mount Sion man produced a towering display that was adorned by a return of 0-5 but he preferred to apportion the praise elsewhere.

“It’s nothing to do with me. It was the balls I was laid off, it was Brick (Walsh), it was Pauric (Mahony), it was Philip, it was everyone was giving me the ball.

“I didn’t win much ball myself, it was all laid out to me. It was just, again, through the pure and utter work rate of the team.”

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