Both teams desperately needed the three points in their fights against relegation and their anxiety showed in this tense and at times bad-tempered affair at the RSC.
In the end, they cancelled each other out; but on the run of play Galway will be more pleased with the outcome than Waterford who had more scoring chances, but could not unhinge the dogged Galway defence.
In the first half, Alan Kirby, Stephen Grant and Brendan Markey all had chances for Waterford, while Galway never seriously threatened Michael Devine's goal.
In the second half, Markey and Fergal Coleman had near misses at opposite ends before Galway's captain Scot Morgan was sent off by referee John Stacey. But four minutes later it was Galway who almost broke the deadlock when a blistering 35-yard free by Gareth Gorman smashed off the upright.
WATERFORD UTD: Devine, Smith, Frost, Reynolds, Riordan, Whittle, Kirby, Gannon, Markey, Grant, Griffin. Subs: McGrath for Reynolds (51 mins); Wood and O'Brien for Markey and Smith (72 mins).
GALWAY UTD: Hickey, Neary, Morgan, O'Connor, Foley, Sheridan, Keane, Keogh, Lavine, Coleman, Gorman. Subs: Donnellan for Gorman (77 mins); Clery for Keane (82); Malee for Keogh (87).
Referee: J Stavey (Athlone)
