Waterford are back in their first Allianz National hurling League Final since 2016 after they saw off Galway in an exciting semi-final at Nowlan Park this afternoon.
Fourteen-man Waterford put in a workmanlike performance, particularly in the second period to edge out Galway who ran out of steam near the end.
The Tribesmen were quickest out of the blocks despite playing against the win, they raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead early on with Cathal Mannion, Joe Canning, Davy Glennon and Brian Concannon on target.
Waterford were given a real lifeline on the storke of half-time when Stephen Bennett's free went all the way to the Galway net as they lead 0-12 to 1-7 at the interval.
Déise substitute Jack Prendergast opened the scoring upon the resumption to reduce the deficit to one.
Galway responded well with the impressive Cathal Mannion getting his fourth point of the afternoon, and Waterford were reduced to fourteen men as Mikey Kearney was dismissed on a second yellow card.
Waterford upped the intensity and energy levels from here and a couple of pointed frees from Stephen Bennett tied up proceedings, before Callum Lyons ventured up from full-back to put the Déise in front for the first time (1-15 to 0-17).
Stephen Bennett slotted another, while Pauric Mahony chipped in with a quick-fire brace of points to stretch the lead.
Galway threw the kitchen sink at Waterford, and Joe Canning was carried off after sustaining a groin injury, after a well executed tackle by Kevin Moran, they scored two late points but Paraic Fanning's weren't to be denied and held on for a hard fought win, 1-18 to 0-19 the full-time score on the banks of the River Nore.
Allianz National Hurling League Semi Final
Full Time
Waterford (Port Láirge): 1-18(21)
Galway (Gaillimh): 0-19(19)
Fantastic Result for our Hurlers! We now advance to the Allianz Hurling League Final ⚪️🔵#deiseabú— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) March 24, 2019
Waterford attacker Stephen Bennett says it's great to be back in a League decider.
Stephen says the goal before half-time was a big score at the time.
Kevin Moran says they had to pull out all the stops to grind out the victory with fourteen men.
Paraic Fanning has steered Waterford to the Division 1 final in his first year in charge. @MartyM_RTE reports from Nowlan Park #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/2rvIIYJcnq
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) March 24, 2019
Waterford will now take on Limerick in an-all Munster League Final in Croke Park next Sunday, with throw-in @ 2pm.
The Shannonsiders saw off a gallant Dublin in the opening semi-final by 1-19 to 1-16 with Seamus Flanagan netting their goal.
Watch the Full-Time highlights from @WaterfordGAA and @Galway_GAA here!
Full-Time score:
Waterford 1-18
Galway 0-19 pic.twitter.com/dGskmvhrWO— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 24, 2019
