HS hurling team of the week
August 10, 2015
A view of the team parade before the All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Waterford.
©INPHO/Donall Farmer.
Waterford pushed Kilkenny all the way but it was the Cats who were left standing yet again. We pick our hurling team of the week from yesterday's All-Ireland semi-final.
1. Stephen O'Keeffe (Waterford)
There were some fearless saves from the Ballygunner number one.
2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)
The extra man in the Cats backline, he mopped up on numerous occasions.
3. Joey Holden (Kilkenny)
Heading for an All Star at number three, he eventually came out on top in his duel with Maurice Shanahan.
4. Noel Connors (Waterford)
No dead leg this time for Noel as he produced a real gritty display in his corner.
5. Darragh Fives (Waterford)
Plagued with injuries over the season but was one of Waterford's better performers on the big day.
6. Tadhg de Búrca (Waterford)
Might have been at fault for the Kilkenny goal but again, acting as sweeper for the Deise, touched the ball more than any other in Croke Park.
7. Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny)
A real candidate for the Man of the Match award, Cillian enjoyed another brilliant 70 minutes in the Black and Amber.
8. Austin Gleeson (Waterford)
What a performance from one so young. Waterford will pin much of their future hopes on Austin and his sideline puck was worth the admission money alone.
9. Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)
Not at his fittest but Kilkenny need the Ballyhale man in that vital midfield sector. The old warhorse will be even better come final day.
10. Walter Walsh (Kilkenny)
Not every Kilkenny supporter's cup of tea but Walter won vital possession and frees when the Waterford pressure was at its greatest.
11. Richie Hogan (Kilkenny)
Where would Kilkenny be without this man? Ran all day and shot five glorious points from play.
12. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
Holds the Yellow Jersey for the Hurler of the Year trophy as the championship enters its final stages. His golden goal was the real deciding factor and just added, in the words of Ger Canning, 9 'bullets' or points to be precise for good measure.
13. Ger Aylward (Kilkenny)
A quiet enough day at the office for the latest Kilkenny sensation but when the hard statistics are examined Ger just happened to shoot 0-4 from play.
14. Maurice Shanahan (Waterford)
Found Holden a tough old nut to crack but was flawless from placed balls and contributed 0-9 to the Waterford challenge, 0-2 from play.
15. Colin Dunford (Waterford)
Colin's best ever game in the county jersey and his 4 points from play kept Waterford within scoring distance of the Cats.
