A late goal from Shane Bennett handed Waterford a dramatic two point win over Galway in the final round of Divsion 1(B) in the Allianz hurling League at a windy Walsh Park this afternoon.
Wind-assisted Galway held a comfortable 2-11 to 0-7 lead at half-time with goals coming from Jason Flynn and Brian Concannon (after receiving from Joe Canning).
Stephen Bennett (who ended with 0-10) shot five points for the home side in the opening period as the snow showers began to come down.
Waterford started the second half in impressive fashion and roared back into proceedings with eight successive points, Stephen Bennett continued to work the scoreboard with Shane Bennett, the lively Jamie Barron along with the Mahony brothers, Pauric and Philip also on target for Paraic Fanning's charges.
The Déise restricted the visitors to just two points in the second period, with Joe Canning and Niall Burke on target.
Galway were leading heading into five additional minutes, before a sweeping team move saw Shane Bennett raise the green flag and hand Waterford a morale boosting win heading into next weekend's Quarter-Final against Clare.
Allianz National Hurling League
Full Time
Waterford (Port Láirge): 1-18(21)
Galway (Gallaimh): 2-13(19)
Fantastic comeback by our Hurlers! Well done to all involved! Quarter Final dates and opponents to follow!#deiseabú
⚪️🔵— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) March 10, 2019
The final score from Walsh Park, WATERFORD 1 - 18 GALWAY 2 - 13.
Division 1 hurling quarter-finals for next weekend: Galway v Wexford, Clare v Waterford (Toss for venue), Tipperary v Dublin #RTEGAA
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) March 10, 2019
Wexford have ended Kilkenny's reign as Allianz National Hurling champions.
Jack O'Connor scored six-points as Davy Fitzgerald's side defeated Kilkenny by 1-19 to 1-12 at Wexford Park.
The reward for the Models is a trip to Galway in the quarter-finals next weekend.
Jason Forde's 1-13 helped Tipperary beat Cork by 1-29 to 1-16 at Pairc Ui Rinn and the Premier will host Dublin in the last-eight.
There will be a toss for venue for the other quarter-final between Clare and Waterford.
Meanwhile, Offaly have been relegated to Division Two A.
Kevin Martin's team let an 11-point half-time advantage slip in losing by 2-14 to 1-16 to Carlow in Tullamore.
Fabulous pic 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇬🇳 https://t.co/hrspPSt9uw
— Carlow GAA (@Carlow_GAA) March 10, 2019
Westmeath can look forward to Division One hurling for the first-time in 32-years.
The Lake County enjoyed a 12-points to 10 victory against Kerry in the Division Two A Final in Ennis.
