Galway ... 2-17 Waterford ... 2-13: Waterford's visit to sunny Salthill will hold few precious memories for them, after Galway stole the lead in an exciting finish at Pearse Stadium yesterday. Scores were level as time ran out, but a goal by full forward Ollie Fahy, followed by a well taken point by Cathal Moore, ensured a home victory.
Both sides were reduced to 14 men just before half-time when Galway's Diarmuid Cloonan and his opposite number, Ken McGrath, were shown straight red cards by Westmeath referee Barry Kelly after a midfield scuffle.
A Fahy goal had given Galway an early boost, but Waterford were gritty opponents and Andy Moloney netted for a 1-6 to 1-5 lead.
The Galway defence had a solid look about it, although Dan Shanahan and Ken McGrath posed a threat whenever they got possession while Tony Browne showed glimpses of his old form.
Corner forward Alan Kerins, who has been in subdued form of late, was back to his sparkling best and scored three excellent first-half points while Rory Gantley converted three frees.
Cathal Moore also got on the score-sheet before the interval, but Waterford were matching them score for score.
Paul Flynn, Dan Shanahan, Eoin McGrath and Ken McGrath, who notched two fine efforts, all scored for the Decies and Dave Bennett chipped in with one from a left-wing free to augment Andy Moloney's goal.
That gave them a 1-6 total for the opening half, but they were two adrift of Galway's 1-8 and the home side had the benefit of the breeze to come.
A blistering start by Galway on the resumption saw them grab a trio of well taken points from Alan Kerins, Ollie Fahy and Cathal Moore for a 1-11 to 1-6 lead.
However, a Waterford 65 by Dave Bennett went over and another Andy Moloney goal brought the home fans down to earth, despite a delightful point by Kevin Broderick for Galway.
Galway went two clear through a Rory Gantley 65 and a superb Cathal Moore effort from play, after Andy Moloney had equalised with 15 minutes remaining.
Two more Dave Bennett frees tied the match towards the end of normal-time. Then, in stoppage time, Ollie Fahy blasted a second goal after collecting a Rory Gantley sideline cut.
Galway still needed an insurance point and they duly got it when Cathal Moore delivered the game's final score from far out.
GALWAY: L Donoghue; D Joyce, L Hodgins, O Canning; T Óg Regan, D Cloonan, S Kavanagh; A Coen, J Conroy (0-1); R Gantley (0-5, 4 frees, 1 65), C Moore (0-4), D Tierney; A Kerins (0-4), O Fahy (2-1), K Broderick (0-2). Subs: F Healy for Tierney; R Murray for Coen; E Lynch for Kavanagh; M Kerins for Healy (inj).
WATERFORD: S Brenner; B Greene, T Feeney, B Flannery; E Murphy, F Hartley, J Murray; T Browne, M Walsh; D Shanahan (0-3), K McGrath (0-2), D Bennett (0-4, 3 frees, 1 65); E McGrath (0-1), A Moloney (2-1), P Flynn (0-2, 2 f).
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).
