Waterford comeback sinks Galway

Waterford 1-16 Galway 0-18: The second SHC quarter-final at Semple Stadium was worth the wait as Waterford staged a remarkable…

Waterford 1-16 Galway 0-18:The second SHC quarter-final at Semple Stadium was worth the wait as Waterford staged a remarkable second-half comeback to snatch victory from Galway and set up a semi-final clash with champions Kilkenny.

Galway looked assured and destined to advance into the least four when they led by six points approaching the hour mark. However, Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald pulled a masterstroke with three substitutions as Maurice Shanahan, Dan Shanahan and Stephen Walsh made the difference.

Shanahan came on with less than 10 minutes remaining and he missed a goal chance opportunity. However, minutes from the final whistle he set up Walsh, who fired home a great goal to level the match.

Seconds from the end John Mullane scored his only point of the game to secure the narrowest of wins.

READ MORE

It was heartbreaking for the likes of Joe Canning, who scored nine points, one kicked, a 65 and the rest from frees.

But Canning also missed a last-second chance that would have forced extra time.

The first half was nothing compared to the second period as Galway led by four points.

Waterford struggled to get going and were forced to pick up five points from frees through Eoin Kelly with Kevin Moran and Seamus Prendergast getting their only scores from play.

In the second period Waterford started well and Colm Callanan had to make a superb save to deny Mullane. But points by Moran and another Kelly free cut the deficit to two points.

But a pointed free by Canning settled Galway and a well-taken point by Damian Hayes restored their four-point advantage.

Canning and Ger Farragher then put Galway six in front, before Kelly and Canning swapped points. Then Kelly converted four in a row - three from frees - to set up the dramatic finish.

Galway went two points in front again before Shanahan set up Walsh for the goal which was followed by a pointed free by Kelly. Mullane then pounced for the winning point after he had missed earlier chances.