Waterford 0-24
Galway 1-21
Tomás McCarthy reports from Walsh Park
GAVIN O’BRIEN RIFLED over an injury time leveller to give Waterford a well deserved share of the spoils against Galway at Walsh Park before an attendance of 5,029.
In a free flowing contest, the Tribesmen edged in front with four consecutive white flags before O’Brien’s late intervention.
Shane Bennett delivered six points from play (three in each half) and almost claimed victory for the white and blue but his strike narrowly missed the target. Pauric Mahony made his return from injury as a second half substitute following an eleven month absence.
Tom Devine and Colm Roche fired points for an experimental Déise inside 60 seconds. The lively Shane Bennett delivered two crowd pleasing scores from the stand sideline to move the hosts 0-6 to 0-2 clear after 11 minutes
Joe Canning replied with two nonchalant points but Waterford kept their distance. An inspirational catch from Gleeson resulted in Bennett’s third from play following another mazy dribble.
Waterford maintained a four-point advantage nearing the break (0-12 to 0-8) with Maurice Shanahan driving over five frees and Brian O’Halloran contributing two from play. Niall Burke and Canning cut the arrears to two.
A minute before half time, Cathal Mannion and David Burke worked the ball inside to Niall Burke who smashed beyond Ian O’Regan. That score allowed Galway depart 1-10 to 0-12 ahead.
O’Halloran, Shanahan (free) and Bennett restored a narrow lead for the home team. David Burke lashed over to level for a second time. The Waterford attack continued to excite as Shanahan, Thomas Ryan and Bennett all tagged on points (0-18 to 1-12).
Niall Burke dragged Galway back into contention but Derek McGrath’s men still led by three with five minutes remaining. Substitute Michael Kearney struck two points to leave it 0-23 to 1-17.
The away side made a late charge for victory with four points on the trot, two from Mannion and one apiece by Conor Whelan and David Burke. O’Brien kept his cool however and Micheál Donoghue’s charges now look forward to a relegation play-off versus Cork.
Scorers for Waterford: Maurice Shanahan 0-9 (8fs), Shane Bennett 0-6, Brian O’Halloran 0-3, Michael Kearney 0-2, Gavin O’Brien, Tom Devine, Thomas Ryan, Colm Roche 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Joe Canning 0-6 (4fs), Niall Burke 1-3, David Burke, Cathal Mannion, Conor Whelan, Eanna Burke, Davy Glennon 0-2 each, Aidan Harte, Jason Flynn 0-1 each.
Waterford
1. Ian O’Regan (Mount Sion)
3. Shane McNulty (De La Salle)
4. Shane Roche (Shamrocks)
2. Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater)
10. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
6. Tadhg De Burca (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
7. Gavin O’Brien (Roanmore)
8. Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner)
5. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion)
21. Maurice Shanahan (Lismore)
15. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart)
11. Tom Devine (Modeligo)
12. Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
14. Thomas Ryan (Tallow)
13. Colm Roche (Shamrocks)
Subs:
23. Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper) for Gleeson (48)
22. Jake Dillon (De La Salle) for C Roche (55)
9. Philip Mahony (Ballygunner) for O’Sullivan (61)
20. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner) for Ryan (68)
Galway
1. James Skehill (Cappataggle)
2. Paul Hoban (Loughrea)
3. John Hanbury (Rahoon-Newcastle)
4. Fergal Moore (Turloughmore)
17. Adrian Tuohy (Beagh)
6. David Burke (St Thomas’)
18. David Collins (Liam Mellows)
7. Aidan Harte (Gort)
8. Andy Smith (Portumna)
15. Jason Flynn (Tommy Larkins)
11. Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree)
14. Joe Canning (Portumna)
12. Davy Glennon (Mullagh)
13. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh)
22. Eanna Burke (St Thomas’)
Subs:
19. Ronan Burke (Turloughmore) for Hoban (46)
10. Conor Whelan (Kinvara) for Smith (47)
25. Richie Cummins (Gort) for E Burke (57)
26. Shane Moloney (Tynagh/Abbey Duniry) for Flynn (67)
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)