HURLING/National League Final: Despite the inconvenience involved, a good crowd from Waterford is expected at tomorrow's Allianz National Hurling League final in the Limerick Gaelic Grounds, writes Seán Moran, GAA correspondent

This is based on the county's unconcealed desire to win the competition even though their championship begins just a week later. Such unconventionally frank ambition is unusual in the league and one of the reasons this year's novel pairing is attracting curiosity and interest.

Waterford haven't won a national title since lifting this prize 41 years ago and with Munster looking more and more of a minefield, championship trophies will be no easier to gather this summer than they have been for four decades.

There is a sense that Galway are happy to be in the final, not because they're any less ambitious than their opponents, but because going the distance maximises match practice and for Conor Hayes that means reaching this weekend's decider.

Since Waterford last won the league, Galway have pocketed five of them and only once has that led on to All-Ireland success and so they are less likely to see victory in the same terms.

That aside we can expect a competitive encounter. Galway's star line has been the full-forwards who managed 6-18 between them in two of the three second-phase matches, against Cork and Limerick, with Eugene Cloonan boasting a massive 8-58 for the campaign.

Included in the phase one victories was a whopping win (5-13 to 1-14) against tomorrow's opponents but Waterford's team is now at least 50 per cent altered.

One legacy of the result, however, is Justin McCarthy will think carefully about filling the vacancy at left-corner back in the light of Damien Hayes's pace laying waste to Waterford in March.

Eoin Murphy is troubled with a virus but despite suggestions that Declan Prendergast will fill the vacancy another option under consideration is to bring in Eoin McGrath specifically to mark Hayes. Although better known as a front-eight player for the county, McGrath plays in defence for Mount Sion.

If Galway pose a considerable threat in the full forwards, there is less certainty around the supply area. The half forwards have been unsteady during the campaign in contesting high ball. Although Mark Kerins made a noticeable impact on Ronan Curran in the match against Cork, his form has dipped and manager Hayes hasn't been convinced.

But in Kerins's absence the half forwards are short of a target. In the defeat by Tipperary, Galway lost heavily on the puck-outs and it took Cloonan's switch to the 40 to kick-start the comeback that only narrowly failed.

With Tony Browne and Ken McGrath relocated to the Waterford half-back line, it's hard to know where Galway can direct puck-out ball. If Fergal Healy misses out at centrefield (though sources close to the player insist he will play) Galway would be missing arguably their first-choice unit given that David Tierney is still out.

The clash between the Galway defence and their immediate opponents may well be the most interesting aspect of the final. Ollie Canning hasn't been brilliant in every match as had become the norm but his strike rate is still phenomenal so his tussle with John Mullane - scoring steadily throughout the campaign - will be absorbing.

Waterford will have to shut down the Galway half backs who have been encouraged to hit quick ball into the full forwards rather than hand deliver the ball up the field.

Derek Hardiman has been noticeable in this regard, his deliveries consistent if sometimes, as mentioned by his manager, a little too high. The equation is simple. If Galway can get a decent supply of ball into the full forwards, they have the cutting edge to win but there are question marks over the team's ability to win sufficient ball.

Throw in Waterford's new-found resilience and ability to compete over 70 minutes and you have the basis of a likely win.

The curtain raiser will be the Division Two final between Westmeath and Down. This pair have been emphatically the best teams in the division and drew their previous meeting so there's little between them.

But Tom Ryan's Westmeath cut a swathe through phase two of the programme and look favourites to lift the title.

GALWAY: L Donoghue; D Joyce, D Cloonan, O Canning; D Hardiman, D Hayes, D Collins; AN Other, T Regan; A Cullinane, D Forde, A Kerins; D Hayes, E Cloonan, K Broderick.

WATERFORD: J Brenner; J Murray, T Feeney, AN Other; T Browne, K McGrath, B Phelan; A Moloney, M Walsh; E Kelly, S Prendergast, D Bennett; J Mullane, D Shanahan, P Flynn