Galway 1-12
Waterford 0-14
Updated 16.15
GALWAY ADVANCED TO Round 3 of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship following a hard-earned win over Waterford at Pearse Stadium today.
A late Michael Meehan goal gave Galway a one-point victory over their opponents, after they had appeared to be on the verge of exiting the Championship.
Galway had held a narrow 0-10 to 0-7 advantage over the Déise at half-time.
Alan Mulholland’s side stormed into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead early on, with Paul Conroy and Michael Meehan among the scorers.
Andy Doyle and Paul Whyte responded with scores for the Déise, but further excellently taken long-distance points from Conroy ensured his side went in at the break with the advantage.
It could have been worse for Waterford though, as Stephen Enright saved well to deny Danny Cummins a goal.
After the break, the visitors came back strongly, with Shane Briggs and Paul Whyte efforts bringing the sides level at 0-10 apiece.
The Déise continued to dominate thereafter, with another superb Whyte strike helping them to establish a three-point advantage.
However, a late rally from Galway, inspired by Meehan’s goal, ultimately enabled them to prevail by the slightest of margins.
Scorers for Galway: Micheal Meehan 1-4 (0-2 ’45), Paul Conroy 0-4 (0-2f), Danny Cummins 0-2, Sean Armstrong (0-1f), Michael Martin 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Paul Whyte 0-7 (0-3f, 0-1 ’45), Andy Doyle, Gary Hurney 0-2 each, Tony Grey, Brian Wall, Shane Briggs 0-1 each
GALWAY: Manus Breathnach; Colin Forde, Finian Hanley, Johnny Duane; Conor Doherty, Gary O’Donnell, Gary Sice; Paul Conroy, Greg Higgins; John O’Brien, Sean Armstrong, Michael Farragher; Mark Hehir, Michael Meehan, Danny Cummins.
Subs: Keith Kelly for Forde, Michael Martin for Hehir, Tomas Flynn for Higgins, Sean Denvir for Doherty, Fiontain O’Curraoin for O’Brien
WATERFORD: Stephen Enright; Thomas O’Gorman, Niall Walsh, Conor Phelan; Tadhg O hUallachain, Shane Briggs, Andy Doyle; Shane Aherne, Maurice O’Gorman; Tommy Prendergast, Tony Grey, Liam O Lonain; Paul Whyte, Gary Hurney, Robert Aherne.
Referee: Derek Fahy (Longford)
