John Mullane believes the experience of playing Kilkenny in an All-Ireland SHC semi-final will stand to Waterford's young players in the future.

Reflecting on their 0-18 to 1-21 defeat, the former Deise star writes in today's Irish Independent: "The overriding emotion at full-time was one of natural disappointment.

"I was optimistic and indeed quietly confident before throw-in but the game itself showed that we remain a work in progress.

"Still, if you'd told me at the start of the year that we'd be back at Croke Park with a young team and competing against Kilkenny, I'd have taken the arm off you.

"Our lads will have learned so much from this experience. We got punished for an awful lot of mistakes at crucial stages but Kilkenny were applying savage pressure all over the pitch.

"TJ Reid referenced 'work rate' after the game and how this week in training was all about bringing a high intensity to Croke Park.

"They were phenomenal in this regard and at stages there were Kilkenny players chasing down their opponents even though they had no hurley in their hands.

"This work rate, manic hunger and physicality is what defines them.

"Add athleticism and skill to those qualities and you have the complete package."

Tweet

Most Read Stories