Galway were victorious for the second weekend in a row, and boosted themselves up the Division 1A table with a comprehensive victory over Waterford at Pearse Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Despite playing against the wind, Galway started rapidly, with Ronan Glennon bursting in for a goal after only 3 minutes, a score which set the tone of the afternoon for Micheal Donoghue's side. The Déise replied well, and built up a 0-6 to 1-2 lead after 11 minutes with Iarlaith Daly and Stephen Bennett leading the charge. Until there were seven minutes remaining in the half, the away side didn't score again. A Colm Molloy goal, complemented by three points from Aaron Niland and frees from the lively Cathal Mannion, had the Westerners 2-9 to 0-6 ahead. Stephen Bennett raised three white flags, and Billy Nolan and Jack Prendergast got in on the action to leave Waterford 2-11 to 0-11 behind at the break.
The sides exchanged scores at the start of the second half before Cathal Mannion tagged on two to push Galway eight points ahead on 41 minutes, a gap that ended up being the winning margin. Waterford did pull it back to seven with 19 minutes remaining, but Niland would bite back to ensure the visitors never got too close. As the game began to peter out, Stephen Bennett continued to add on frees, but Galway responded each time, and Cian Daniels was on the end of a quick counterattack to make it 2-18 to 0-16, which was the final score of the game with nine minutes to play. With seven to play, Niland was pulled down inside the penalty area, and the Clarinbridge man stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was denied by Nolan in the Waterford goal.
In the end, it was a much-needed two points for Galway, who welcome Kilkenny to Pearse Stadium next Saturday evening at 5 pm...
Niall Canavan has the match report from Pearse Stadium...
Sean Walsh, Andy Coen and Cyril Farrell look back on a good afternoon's work for Galway...
Niall Canavan spoke to the Galway Senior Hurling Manager, Micheal Donoghue, after the game...
Niall Canavan also caught up with a disappointed Waterford Senior Hurling Manager, Peter Queally...
