Kilkenny–Waterford hurling rivalry

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.[1] 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.

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)

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 1957Kilkenny (1)4–10 – 3–12WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
2.6 September 1959Kilkenny5–5 – 1–17WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
3.4 October 1959Waterford (1)3–12 – 1–10KilkennyCroke ParkAll-Ireland final replay
4.1 September 1963Kilkenny (2)4–17 – 6–8WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
5.16 August 1998Kilkenny (3)1–11 – 1–10WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
6.8 August 2004Kilkenny (4)3–12 – 0–18WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
7.7 September 2008Kilkenny (5)3–30 – 1–13WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
8.9 August 2009Kilkenny (6)2–23 – 3–15WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
9.7 August 2011Kilkenny (7)2–19 – 1–16WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
10.13 July 2013Kilkenny (8)1–22 – 2–16WaterfordSemple StadiumAll-Ireland qualifiers
11.9 August 2015Kilkenny (9)1–21 – 0–18WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
12.7 August 2016Kilkenny1–21 – 0–24WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
13.13 August 2016Kilkenny (10)2–19 – 2–17WaterfordSemple StadiumAll-Ireland semi-final replay
14.8 July 2017Waterford (2)4–23 – 2–22KilkennySemple StadiumAll-Ireland qualifiers
15.28 November 2020Waterford (3)2-27 – 2-23KilkennyCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final

Under-21
No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1.8 September 1974Kilkenny (1)3–8 – 3–7WaterfordSemple StadiumAll-Ireland final
2.21 August 1994Kilkenny (2)2–21 – 3–6WaterfordSemple StadiumAll-Ireland semi-final

Minor
No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1.5 September 1948Waterford (1)3–8 – 4–2KilkennyCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
2.23 July 2011Waterford (2)0–15 – 0–9KilkennyWalsh ParkAll-Ireland quarter-final
3.11 August 2013Waterford (3)2–12 – 0–16KilkennyCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
4.10 August 2014Kilkenny (1)1–23 – 1–14WaterfordCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final

Club results
Kilkenny win
Waterford win
Draw

Senior
No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Competition
1.16 May 1982James Stephens (1)3–13 – 3–8Mount SionCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
2.09 Feb 2019Ballyhale Shamrocks (2)1–15 – 0–13BallygunnerSemple StadiumAll-Ireland semi-final

Records

Scorelines

Most appearances
Team Player Championship games Total
Kilkenny T. J. Reid 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2016 (replay), 2017, 20208
Waterford Michael Walsh 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2016 (replay), 20179

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.
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