Waterford defender Tadgh De Burca believes that it was their mental strength that pulled them through against Kilkenny in their titanic All-Ireland SHC qualifier last Saturday.

De Burca produced a man of the match display as Waterford defeated Kilkenny in championship hurling for the first time since 1958. The counties played out an enthralling contest that needed extra time to separate the sides.

The talented defender pointed to last year's All-Ireland SHC semi-final where the Cats edged the Deise after a replay as a focal point for them as they focused on getting the job done this time around.

"It was a bit of deja vu. Like last year, we let a lead slip and let them back into the game. We had that in the back of the head that Kilkenny are hard to beat when you give them a second chance," said De Burca.

"Still, we were mentally strong inside the dressingroom. We knew that if we did what we were told to do and stuck together that we'd be in there with a shout to get over the line."

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