Waterford remain bottom of Division 1A of the National hurling league following defeat to a sharper and superior Kilkenny outfit in difficult conditions at Walsh Park this afternoon.
Kilkenny dominated the opening 35 minutes and held a commanding 0-11 to 0-5 lead at the interval with TJ Reid chipping in with points both from play and frees for the Cats, with Martin Keoghan also hitting a brace of points.
Waterford registered just one score from play in the opening period, with centre back Tadhg Dé Búrca pointing in the 20th minute, other scores came from frees through Pauric Mahony and Austin Gleeson.
Waterford started the second half with intent with substitues Patrick Curran and Colin Dunford taking the game to Kilkenny.
Both players hit points with Pauric Mahony also on target as Waterford reduced the deficit to three points, 0-12 to 0-9.
Kilkenny responded swiftly with a crucial goal, as TJ Reid crashed the ball past Ian O' Regan to give Brian Cody's charges a lead they were never going to relinquish.
Stephen Bennett had a penalty saved by the impressive Eoin Murphy and any hopes of a Waterford comeback faded after this.
TJ Reid, James Maher and Luke Scanlon tacked on scores for the visitors who ran out commanding, while Martin Keoghan hit his fifth point in an eye catching display up front.
Substitute Tommy Ryan scored a late consolation goal for the home side, after being teed up by Patrick Curran with TJ Reid completing the scoring with a late free to seal a first win for Kilkenny.
Final Score, Kilkenny 1 - 20 Waterford 1 - 12.
Waterford selector Dan Shanahan was disappointed with the result when he spoke to WLR Sport after the final whistle.
Dan says TJ Reid's goal proved to be a crucial moment in the game.
Dan says they had to try out a few things as five of the six starting forwards were replaced.
