By John Stack
Waterford closed out their Lidl National Football League Division 1 campaign with a hard-earned victory over Galway in Leamybrien, edging a lively and competitive encounter despite little riding on the outcome for either side.
With Galway already through to the league final against Cork and Waterford building towards the Munster Championship, both teams still served up an entertaining contest.
We made quite a few changes, we were hoping to see players put their hands up for a spot in the league final,” said Galway manager Daniel Moynihan.
“That was the aim of today, a free shot for the players and the subs that we brought on.”
An understrength Galway side struck first, with Olivia Divilly opening the scoring after six minutes, before Eva Noone added another point on the break to push Galway two clear.
Waterford responded in style. Chloe Fennell found the net after ten minutes following excellent approach play involving Eve Power, Meabh Daly and Jade Queally. The home side grew into the game from there, though Aine O’Neill was unlucky to see an effort come back off the post. Noone and Andrea Trill kept Galway ticking over, while Aoife O’Rourke also split the posts.
Points from Fennell, Kellyann Hogan and Katie Murray helped Waterford stay ahead, though Galway threatened again late in the half. Goalkeeper Gardiner produced a superb save to deny Trill, preserving Waterford’s narrow advantage. O’Neill added a point before the break to leave it 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time.
Galway came out strongly in the second half, with Aoife Molly reducing the gap, but Waterford responded through Eve Power and a Hogan free. Murray added another as the hosts looked to take control.
The decisive moment arrived when substitute Lia Ní hÁrtá struck for a goal after O’Neill did well to win possession from a kickout. Galway battled back with scores from Noone, Leanne Coen, Niamh Divilly, but Waterford always had an answer.
Fennell, Karen McGrath, Clare Walsh (two) and Treasa Ní Chrótaigh all contributed important points down the stretch to secure the win. Despite Galway’s dangerous pace in transition, Waterford’s clinical finishing, highlighted by two well-taken goals, proved the difference on the day.
Scorers - Waterford: C Fennell 1-2, L NihArta 1-0, K Hogan 0-2 (1f), K Murray 0-2, C Walsh 0-2, A O'Neill, E Power, K McGrath, T Ni Chrotaigh 0-1 each.
Galway: E Noone 0-4 (1f), O Divilly 0-2, A Trill, A O'Rourke, A Molloy, L Coen, N Divilly, S McGovern 0-1 each.
Waterford: K Gardiner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, A McGrath; K McGrath, R Casey, A Hahesy; E Power, E Murray (capt.); K Murray, K Hogan, Á O'Neill; M Daly, J Queally, C Fennell. Subs: Lia Ní hArta for Daly (ht), R Browne for Hahessy (ht), L McGregor for Queally (ht). H McGrath for A McGrath (47), C Walsh for C Murray (52), O Kennedy for Fennell (52), T Ni Chrotaigh for K Murray (53), S Peters for McGrath (53), A Brazil for Hogan (53).
Galway: L O'Halloran; A Molloy, K Mee, K Geraghty (capt.); S Healy, N Ward, E Power; A Madden, S Divilly; A O'Rourke, K Slevin, O Divilly; A Trill, L Coen, E Noone. Subs: H Noone for Power (ht), L Noone for O’Rourke (ht), N Divilly for Madden (40), M Glynn for Molloy (46), D Keane for Trill (48), S McGovern for Slevin (53), E Smith for Coen (53), O O'Connor for O'Halloran (53).
Referee: Johnathon Murphy (Carlow).
