Déise are no match for classy Tribesmen
Waterford's Jack Prendergast is fouled by Galway's Colm Molloy as he tries to come away with possession during their Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A clash at Pearse Stadium. Photos: INPHO/James Lawlor
Persistent rainfall created dour conditions at Pearse Stadium during a contest that failed to ignite, as Waterford suffered a troubling away defeat to hosts Galway. The result leaves Na Déise needing nothing less than a victory against Tipperary next week if they are to avoid dropping to Division 1B.
First-half goals from Galway’s Ronan Glennon and Colm Molloy did damage that Waterford could not recover from. The Tribesmen created a 2-9 to 0-6 lead by 28 minutes, staying at least six ahead for the remainder.
Stephen Bennett’s tally of 0-8, seven from frees, helped Waterford stay in touch with Galway. However, scores dried up, particularly in the second half. Losing centre-back Iarlaith Daly to injury halfway through was a blow, as Galway’s grip on the contest tightened.
Were it not for Billy Nolan’s two mighty saves in the second half, Galway’s advantage could well have entered double digits. First, Cianan Fahy forced Nolan to dive low before the netminder denied Aaron Niland’s penalty attempt.
The match fizzled out for several minutes before the whistle eventually blew. It became a hard watch as neither team scored from the 60th minute onwards.
Although Galway were comfortably in control for most of the clash, Peter Queally’s charges started brightly and opened up a 0-6 to 1-2 lead after 11 minutes. Jack Prendergast opened the account, and Michael Kiely followed, before Galway struck back through Glennon after an excellent setup from Jason Rabbitte. Cathal Mannion and Cian Daniels followed with points.
Undeterred, Waterford regained their lead as Sean Walsh, Iarlaith Daly, Jamie Barron and Stephen Bennett (free) continued to poke holes in Galway’s defence, who were so far guilty of mishandling possession coming out of the backs.
However Galway got their act together and struck 1-7 during an 18-minute scoreless spell for the visitors. Waterford had created double the chances compared to Galway prior to this barren period, so the drop off was as severe as it was unexpected.
Niland caused problems for Waterford, dropping deep and picking off 0-3 from play before half-time. Thomas Monaghan and Mannion were also involved in the defining run of scores before Galway’s second major arrived through Molloy, leaving Waterford nine adrift.
Cathal Mannion’s clever pass to Tiernan Killeen, who provided a slick ball for the goal assist, typified the good stickwork which helped Galway surpass Waterford.
Between the goal and half-time, unforced errors in possession crept back into Galway’s game. Billy Nolan landed a long-range free, his fifth score of the league campaign, along with scores from Jack Prendergast and Bennett (three) as Waterford punished Galway’s slip-ups.
Galway held a 2-11 to 0-11 lead at the interval, looking forward to a breeze-backed second half. They increased that lead to seven and eight during the next 35 minutes as Waterford failed to make inroads.
Thomas Monaghan quickly fired over his second point upon the restart as Bennett responded with a free for Waterford before a brace of scores from Mannion brought the hosts further in front.
Sean Walsh broke loose from his marker, Cillian Trayers, for a well-earned score from play. Waterford’s last score, aside from Bennett’s free taking, arrived after 44 minutes.
Jason Rabbitte and Mannion’s points were matched by Bennett’s placed balls, as the score read 2-16 to 0-14 after 50 minutes. After this, the teams managed just 0-2 apiece, as any competitive feel the game had started with had long since faded.
Waterford’s best goal chance of the day was saved on the line by Kieran Hanrahan, as Bennett was unable to rattle the Galway net from the ’21-yard line.
Aaron Niland was through for a goal in the closing minutes before Brian Lynch and Mark Fitzgerald ensured he would not score from play, before Nolan saved the subsequent penalty. The black card Fitzgerald received saw Waterford finish the game with 14 on the field.
Waterford now face a must-win showdown with the All-Ireland champions next week, while Galway await tough tests from Kilkenny and Limerick.
Cathal Mannion (0-9; 0-4f; 0-1 ‘65); Aaron Niland (0-4); Colm Molloy and Ronan Glennon (1-0 each); Thomas Monaghan and Cian Daniels (0-2 each); Jason Rabbitte (0-1).
Stephen Bennett (0-8; 0-7f); Jack Prendergast and Sean Walsh (0-2 each); Michael Kiely, Iarlaith Daly, Jamie Barron and Billy Nolan (0-1f) (0-1 each).
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, Thomas Monaghan.
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).
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.
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).
James Owens (Wexford).
4,134.
