Galway 0-15
Waterford 0-12
ANTHONY Cunningham saw his Galway team banish their relegation fears and move forward to the Division 1 hurling semi-finals this afternoon.
Galway began the day rooted to the bottom of the Division 1A table but they travelled to Walsh Park and claimed a significant three-point win over Waterford.
The Tribesmen can now look forward to a league semi-final battle in three weeks time against Kilkenny.
In the process Galway ensured Waterford, who were top of the table before the match, lost out on the race for the semi-final spots.
A strong first-half performance paved the way for Galway’s success as they lead by 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval.
The opening exchanges were tightly contested and after Galway went ahead 0-4 to 0-3, they then saw Joe Canning’s penalty effort stopped on the line by Waterford’s Shane O’Sullivan.
Yet Galway were not deterred by that setback with Canning and Niall Burke leading the way up front as they went five points clear at the halfway mark.
Davy Glennon impressed after the interval in stretching Galway’s lead before Waterford gained momentum and started to mount a revival.
Seamus Prendergast and Maurice Shanahan lead the way for them in the scoring stakes and they only trailed by 0-13 to 0-9 with 11 minutes left.
However Galway gave themselves some breathing space with Canning and Cyril Donnellan on the mark and despite Waterford notching some late points, they could only trim the gap to three points.
Galway manager Anthony Cunningham has words with Waterford’s Maurice Shanahan
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Scorers for Waterford: Maurice Shanahan 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), Seamus Prendergast, Brian O’Halloran, Jake Dillon (0-1f), Jamie Barron 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Joe Canning 0-5 (0-3f), Davy Glennon 0-4, Iarla Tannian, Niall Burke 0-2 each, David Burke, Cyril Donnellan 0-1 each.
GALWAY: Colm Callanan (Kinvara); Johnny Coen (Loughrea), Kevin Hynes (Sarsfields), Fergal Moore (Turloughmore); Niall Donoghue (Kilbeacanty), David Collins (Liam Mellows), Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields); Iarla Tannian (Ardrahan), David Burke (St Thomas); Aidan Harte (Gort), Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree), Davy Glennon (Mullagh); Cyril Donnellan (Padraig Pearses), Joe Canning (Portumna), Conor Cooney (St Thomas).
Subs: Damien Hayes (Portumna) for N Burke, Andy Smyth (Portumna) for J Cooney (57), Jonathan Glynn (Ardrahan) for C Cooney (61), James Regan (St Thomas) for Donnellan (68), Brian Flaherty (Abbeyknockmoy) for D Burke (70).
WATERFORD: Ian O’Regan (Mount Sion); Shane Fives (Carrigtwohill), Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater), Stephen Daniels (De La Salle); Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan), Michael Walsh (Stradbally), Darragh Fives (Tourin); Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner), Kevin Moran (c) (De La Salle); Maurice Shanahan (Lismore), Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore), Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg); Ray Barry (Lismore), Jake Dillon (De La Salle), Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater).
Subs: Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner) for O’Halloran (53), Shane Walsh (Fourmilewater) for Barry (59), Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner) for Dillon (63).
Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois)
