Following last Sunday's epic encounter, many feared that the replay between Kilkenny and Waterford in Semple Stadium on Saturday night would result in an anti-climax. That was not the case as Kilkenny defeated Waterford on a scoreline of 2-19 to 2-17 in an epic encounter.

What was witnessed on the field was one of the best games of hurling in recent memory as the game ebbed and flowed and only ended when Eoin Murphy reached up and caught a Pauric Mahony free over the crossbar that was going straight over the black spot to draw the sides level deep into and beyond the three minutes of injury time added on at the end of the game.

Derek McGrath can find solace in the fact that he and his side pushed the best team ever assembled to the limit but will feel as though they missed chances on Sunday evening last and on Saturday night.

If the final is half as good as what was on display between these two sides over the course of 140 minutes, we are in for a treat.

Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton