Allianz HL D1A: Valuable victory for Galway

Jason Rabbitte, Galway, and Mark Fitzgerald, Waterford, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Galway 2-18 Waterford 0-16

By Oisín Noone at Pearse Stadium

Galway earned a vital victory in Salthill.

Six weeks on from the All-Ireland club final, Kieran Hanrahan impressed on his debut for Galway, starting alongside Loughrea clubmate Tiernan Killeen whose brother Cullen also featured. Ballygunner’s Aaron O’Neill, Ian Kenny, Paddy Leavy and Kevin Mahony returned to the Waterford starting lineup.

Two first half goals courtesy of Ronan Glennon and Colm Molloy built Galway’s platform for victory, as they entered the tunnel at half-time 2-11 to 0-11 ahead.

The visitors started the stronger side, however, creating eight scoring chances to Galway’s four in the first 10 minutes. Padraic Mannion’s delivery inside was taken brilliantly by Jason Rabbitte before Ronan Glennon opened Galway’s account with a goal after three minutes. ‘

Na Déise held a 0-6 to 1-2 lead before an 18-minute scoreless period for them ensued. Adding to earlier points from Cian Daniels and Cathal Mannion, Galway scored 1-7 unanswered to open up a 2-9 to 0-6 lead.

Mannion increased his tally as Thomas Monaghan and Aaron Niland also registered. Molloy’s goal then arrived on the 28th minute after a delivery from Tiernan Killeen, putting real distance between the teams.

Goalkeeper Billy Nolan pointed his fifth score of this league campaign to break Waterford’s deadlock, before 2020 All-Star Stephen Bennett struck three before half-time to improve Waterford’s standing.

The second half lacked intensity and accuracy, as a Waterford comeback never materialised. The gap remained at a minimum of six, sometimes seven or eight. The wide tally grew large for both teams, as the last 13 minutes of the game went without a score.

Monaghan, Mannion, Niland and Daniels all added points in the second half to keep Waterford at bay, while Jason Rabbitte increased their scorers list to seven with a well taken score out by the stand.

Peter Queally’s side managed a sole score from play in the second half, while Bennett brought their overall tally to 0-16 through frees.

Bennett’s 21-yard effort with 15 minutes remaining was the closest Waterford came to goaling, with Hanrahan providing the block on the line.

Waterford finished the game with 14 as Mark Fitzgerald picked up a black card for bringing down Niland. The Clarinbridge forward went high with the taken penalty, though Nolan matched it well, sending it out for a 65.

It was the first league meeting between these teams since 2021, where Galway prevailed a high scoring encounter 4-28 to 3-23.

The result leaves Galway’s league fortunes in their own hands, playing Kilkenny at home next, before Limerick away in the final round. Waterford face Tipperary in their final league game.

Scorers for Galway: Cathal Mannion 0-9 (4fs, 1 65); Aaron Niland 0-4; Colm Molloy, Ronan Glennon 1-0 each; Tom Monaghan, Cian Daniels 0-2 each, Jason Rabbitte 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 0-8 (7fs); Jack Prendergast, Sean Walsh 0-2 each; Michael Kiely, Iarlaith Daly, Jamie Barron, Billy Nolan (f) 0-1 each.

Galway: Stephen O’Halloran; Joshua Ryan, Cillian Trayers, Kieran Hanrahan; Ronan Glennon, Padraic Mannion, Darren Morrissey; Cianan Fahy, Cian Daniels; Tiernan Killeen, Cathal Mannion, Aaron Niland; Jason Rabbitte, Colm Molloy, Tom Monaghan.

Subs: Conor Whelan for Molloy (51); Cullen Killeen for Fahy (54); T.J Brennan for Glennon (60 mins); Declan McLaughlin for Rabbitte (64); Conor Cooney for Niland (66).

Waterford: Billy Nolan; Aaron O’Neill, Mark Fitzgerald, Ian Kenny; Shane Bennett, Iarlaith Daly, Brian Lynch; Reuben Halloran, Paddy Leavey; Michael Kiely, Jamie Barron, Jack Prendergast; Sean Walsh, Stephen Bennett, Kevin Mahony.

Subs: Calum Lyons for Daly (HT); Patrick Curran for Mahony (HT); Sean Mackey for Halloran (43); Tadgh de Burca for Shane Bennett (47); Jack Fagan for Kiely (66).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).