Waterford selector Dan Shanahan was glad to end a Nowlan Park hoodoo against Kilkenny after watching the Deise defeat the Cats in their Allianz Hurling League opener.
It was tight in the end with one point between the sides as Waterford edged it 1-15 to 0-17 at Nowlan Park to avenge their 2016 All Ireland semi final loss.
Patrick Curran got the only goal of the game for the Deise which ultimately proved crucial in seeing Waterford tip the scales in their own direction.
Shanahan was speaking to Newstalk Sport's Oisin Langan after the match and was happy with what he and manager Derek McGrath saw from their Waterford team.
"It's a good win. We knew coming down here, it was going to be hard. We haven't won here since 2004 - and before that in 2000 - so a win is a win," he said.
Kilkenny's Richie Hogan and Noel Connors of Waterford ©INPHO/Ken Sutton
"We saw what Tipp did last night and Cork did last night, so it's good to get a win on the board.
"We've two points on the board, it wasn't the best hurling game but it was a tough game of hurling, so it was. But again we've a lot of work done like all the teams have and we just came out by a point in the end. So it was intriguing."
He was also pleased to match Kilkenny in the physical battle, although he was concerned by a 20 minute period in the second half when Waterford couldn't register a score.
Waterford corner back Noel Connors also spoke to Oisin and described it as a "Championship paced game" in terms of its intensity.
"Every time you come here, you know you're going to have a difficult task but it's something that you relish and you have to bring the game towards Kilkenny. It's definitely something that we did in this game particularly," he said, although he added that there won't be too much dwelling on the scoreline or result and more emphasis will be placed on developing emerging talent.
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