Full-time: Galway 2-18 (24) Waterford 0-16. The match was broadcast live on WLR, thanks to George Corbett Skoda In what was a game that promised so much, it must be said the game never ignited. Galway were comfortable throughout the whole contest. Ronan Glennon opened the scoring for Galway with a green flag with only 3 minutes gone, and that seemed to set the tone for the afternoon. Waterford answered with a white flag raised by Sean Walsh and a further 3 points from Stephen Bennett, Jamie Barron, and Iarlaith Daly. Galway then started to open the shoulders with scores coming from Cathal Mannion, Aaron Niland, and Tomas Monaghan. More misery was added when Colm Molloy rattled the net for Galway, and at the break it was Galway 2-11 Waterford 0-11. Stephen Bennet opened the 2nd half scoring for Waterford with a free. It took another 10 minutes before Waterford got a score from Sean Walsh. This was the theme as Waterford had another period of no score from the 50th minute to the 60th minute. Aaron Niland added 3 more points along with scores from Rabbit and Mannion. Waterford were reduced to 14 men after a black card, but it did not affect the outcome that was on cards at halftime in Pearse Stadium. There was a welcome sight and a massive boost to the Waterford camp when Clashmores Tadhg de Búrca made his entrance for the 2026 season. Stephen Bennet ended with 8 points, most from frees, Sean Walsh scored 2 points, along with Jack Prendergast.