In terrible conditions, Roisin Leonard opened the scoring for Galway with a point followed by a free after 8 minutes by Tracey Leonard, giving the Galway side a 0-2 to 0-1 lead. In torrential rain, it was difficult for any side to get momentum but Waterford's danger woman Michelle Ryan pulled it back level before Meghan Glynn gave Galway back the lead with a well-earned point on 13 minutes.
As the rain continued to pour down, Galway produced a nice passage of play to get Tracey Leonard on the ball but her effort off her left curled wide. Louise Ward managed to get through for a point, thanks to the support of Tracey Leonard in the set up. Galway's patience in tough conditions paid off as a pass from Roisin Leonard to the captain saw Tracey Leonard rattle the net on 19 minutes to lead 1-4 to 0-2.
Waterford pointed a free in response but Galway's Sarah Conneally responded with a point of her own to maintain Galway's dominance. With 5 minutes to half time, Galway were dealt a heavy blow as Waterford's Aileen Wall got through to land an unstoppable shot to the bottom left- hand corner of the Galway net. Galway responded with a point from Tracey Leonard before the break to lead 1-6 to 1-4.
The poor weather conditions continued as play resumed but Galway got off to a great start again with points from Leonard and Aine McDonagh. Tracey Leonard followed up with a free to give the Galway side a 5 point lead just 8 minutes into the second half. It was Leonard again that broke through with 12 minutes gone to take another point for Galway followed by a score from Roisin Leonard as the Galway ladies hit their stride.
Galway were shaken by a sudden Waterford goal as Aileen Wall broke through for her second green flag to reduce the deficit to 4 points. Sarah Conneally got her second point from play to keep the advantage for Galway. Galway held their composure to take the win on a final score of Galway 1-12 Waterford 2-4. They will face Mayo in the All Ireland Semi-Final in Croke Park on August 25th.
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