A dejected Shane Fives after Waterford’s loss to Kilkenny in Saturday night’s epic All-Ireland SHC Semi-final replay in Thurles. Photo: Inpho.

All-Ireland SHC Semi-final Replay: Waterford v Kilkenny: The Big Match Highlights

Score of the Match
Austin Gleeson routinely serves up magic moments into the Killinan goal and his fifth minute firework set this replay alight. Michael Walsh’s perfectly weighted hand pass invited Gleeson to drive through the space and he brushed past Conor Fogarty before thumping a shot under Eoin Murphy to the far corner. Colin Fennelly burst the cobwebs twice in three minutes. For his first, he approached from the left flank and hammered the ball to the top corner. Walter Walsh slipped the pass for his second and Fennelly roofed it once again. Jake Dillon’s fourth championship goal, his second against Kilkenny, was wonderfully crafted by Kevin Moran and Stephen Bennett.

Turning Point
On 75 minutes, Pauric Mahony had the opportunity to level this sensational contest for a sixth occasion and probably send it to extra time. From just outside the 65, his effort didn’t have the required length and Eoin Murphy plucked it dramatically from over the crossbar. Richie Hogan sealed Kilkenny’s final passage with a point in the sixth added minute.

Save of the Game
In the 2006 All Ireland semi final, Donal Óg Cusack batted away Ken McGrath’s attempted equaliser to safety. On this occasion, Eoin Murphy’s extraordinary leap bailed out the champions.

Entertainment Value
These two teams simply picked up from where they left off six days earlier. There was a spice to the exchanges inside and outside the whitewash. Both sets of players had to perform under extreme pressure and the quality never dipped. A savage physicality was evident with space at an absolute premium. A gripping finish completed this unforgettable semi final spectacle. Even better than the original.

Tactics
Brian Cody deemed three changes were necessary from the drawn game and redesigned his team in the process. He changed every sector from the half back line upwards. Conor Fogarty slotted in at centre back, Richie Hogan and TJ Reid formed a fresh midfield partnership, Michael Fennelly started at number eleven with Liam Blanchfield and Mark Bergin in the corners. Hogan and Reid scattered the ball around in a controlled manner. They consistently probed that full forward channel as Colin Fennelly won his duel with Barry Coughlan. Derek McGrath confessed his concern afterwards at the gaps that appeared as they conceded 2-10 in that first period. Cody switched it up again when Waterford got the upper hand midway through the half as Michael Fennelly and Hogan swapped roles. McGrath drafted in Stephen Bennett for his first start of 2016. Despite making early headway, the full forward line struggled either side of the interval to punch holes. Maurice Shanahan’s arrival brought about an instant improvement as he fielded the first ball against Joey Holden and tagged on two points. It gave Waterford a direct outlet and pinned Kilkenny back over the closing quarter.

Ref Watch
A chorus of boos rung out for James McGrath at the end. The Westmeath man allowed the play run and with these two living on the edge, this approach led to contentious calls. Both management teams prowled the sideline and challenged every decision. Brian Cody also had a few words with the man in blue down the tunnel at the break. Waterford won the free count 7-2 in the first half before things evened up. Towards the finish, Jamie Barron and Richie Hogan earned questionable frees.

Man of the Match
Colin Fennelly survived the Cody cull but he knew that his starting place was far from secure. He gained early supremacy against Barry Coughlan and blasted home two fabulous first half goals. Liam Blanchfield and Eoin Larkin also benefitted from his unselfish flicks. In the second period, his strength and pace forced Tadhg De Burca into a rash challenge and he stripped Coughlan of possession to provide a point for Richie Hogan. Given a regular stream of ball, the Ballyhale striker emerged as a constant source of irritation and deservedly got the nod from RTÉ. For the second week running, Richie Hogan picked off four points from play. He also executed the role of playmaker from that withdrawn position and had 19 touches overall. Padraig Walsh also roared into the game with two long distance screamers. Liam Blanchfield repaid Cody’s faith by striking 0-3 and winning a vital late free. Austin Gleeson further embellished his claims for hurler of the year and collected the Sky Sports award. The number six ruled the skies and hurtled at high speed towards the scoring zone. He could have added to his total of 1-2 given his high possession count. Michael Walsh summoned a superhuman level of endeavour. The 33 year old disputed puck outs, hunted breaks, won frees and manufactured scores. The Brick created 1-6 for his colleagues and got brought down for two frees that Pauric Mahony sent between the sticks.