The most recent championship meeting of Waterford and Kilkenny was in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2004. The game was played in wet, slippery conditions. 3 first half goals (including a pair by Henry Shefflin) gave the Cats a lead that they never relinquished despite a spirited second half display by Waterford. Paul Flynn had one of his best performances in Croke Park, scoring 13 points (4 from play).

Waterford played the game without John Mullane (suspended after being sent off in the Munster final) and with a new goalkeeper, Ian O’Regan. To date, this has been O’Regan’s only match for his county.

The teams for Sunday have yet to be announced but Kilkenny will probably start with 9 of the team that played that day (M Kavanagh, N Hickey, T Walsh, JJ Delaney, D Lyng, E Brennan, J Fitzpatrick, M Comerford & H Shefflin). Waterford will probably also start with 9 of the 2004 team (E Murphy, D Prendergast, T Browne, K McGrath, E Kelly, D Shanahan, M Walsh, S Prendergast & E McGrath).

The final score that day was 3-12 to 0-18.