It has not been an ideal start to the National League for Kilkenny.
But then, after their relatively early exit from last year's Championship, surprisingly few people have even been that surprised.
After the departure of so many important players on an annual basis, Tommy Walsh recently discussed the unusual manner by which Kilkenny now possessed a number of players who hadn't actually won any All-Ireland winners medals.
They do have a few impressive players remaining however, and, facing up to a similarly stuttering Waterford this afternoon, Brian Cody's side finally secured a first League win; overcoming Derek McGrath's Waterford 1-20 to 1-12.
Playing in horribly wintry conditions, Kilkenny looked, on occasion, a semblance of their old selves.
While nobody will suggest yet that they look to have the edge on Galway, or increasingly Tipperary, one particular sequence of play demonstrated all that was once so lauded in Kilkenny's resilient, relentless approach.
Starting with an incredible save from Eoin Murphy, one of Kilkenny's remaining stars TJ Reid finished off a chance that could rarely have been called that at all; one score in Reid's impressive 1-11 total.
Having led Waterford throughout, it will be fascinating to see if Kilkenny's form today can be replicated next weekend when they welcome the free-scoring Tipperary to Nowlan Park.
For now, enjoy an incredible save and monster finish from two of Kilkenny's standout players.
Sábháil ó Eoin Murphy & an scór ó TJ Reid. Transition from defence to attack!
Bí linn don dara leath.@WaterfordGAA v @KilkennyCLG #AllianzLeagues #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/u4G1dnRrym— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 18, 2018
