Déise Spirit Triumphs!

All Ireland SHC Quarterfinal:
Waterford 1-16 Galway 0-18

By Denis O'Brien

Waterford beat Galway in the most dramatic of fashions when a 68th minute goal by sub Shane Walsh turned the tide in their favor and moments later a terrific point by who else but John Mullane won them a memorable victory.

They looked like the Waterford of old in those last five minutes. Tony Browne clearing out of defense; Michael Walsh driving from midfield; Mullane rifling over the winner in Thurles, and Dan Shanahan, yes, 'Dan the Man' plucking balls out of the air like in days of yore.

The crucial score was the goal.

Galway had seen a six-point lead slip to two with eight left on the clock. Still they looked to have weathered the storm as they hit back with points from sub Kevin Hayes and Damien Hayes to push four clear.

Davey Fitz had sent in 'Big Dan' to the edge of the square moments earlier in the hope that Dan could find some of his former goal-scoring prowess one last time.

Dan grabbed the first high ball that came his way but his goal effort drifted wide of the right upright.

Moments later Aidan Kearney delivered a long clearance into the danger area. Dan rose into the air and grabbed it in his big paw and coming under pressure he offloaded to Shane Walsh who pulled on as he was turning and the ball skipped into the left corner of the net for a goal.

The Waterford support let out a mighty roar as they knew their side now a point behind were back in the game.

The next ball in saw 'Dan the Man' fouled and Eoin Kelly slotted the free between the posts on the stroke of normal to tie the match.

With the momentum with Waterford, Stephen Molumphy won the sliothar in the middle of the park and made a great surge before off passing to the supporting Mullane, who was screaming for the ball. Though it was his only point from play, the Deise ace sent it over for the winner.

Young Joe Canning, who faded in the second half after a good first, had a half chance to equalize with the last puck of the game but his shot drifted right and wide.

Galway looked completely gutted when the final whistle sounded as the Tribe thought they had done enough to see off Waterford but it was the never say die Deise spirit that beat them in the end.

As well as the introduction of Shanahan it was Fitzgerald's move of Michael Walsh to center field that also paid dividends as he came more into the game and drove the team forward.

Also the move of Mullane out to wing forward paid huge dividends as he won frees which Kelly converted to reduce the deficit that had been at six points with 20 minutes remaining.

Galway had enjoyed the better of things in the opening half as they lead by four at the break with Canning, Damien Hayes, Ger Farragher and the lively Aonghus O'Callaghan the chief scorers.

Eoin Kelly with his accuracy from frees kept Waterford in touch. Kevin Moran did well with a brace of points in that first period but Mullane, who didn't make an impression when at full forward, was then switched to his normal right corner forward birth but Galway star corner back Ollie Canning had his measure.

Two quick Waterford points rallied the faithful on the restart but Galway restored their dominance with four unanswered points to leave the Deise in trouble.

But when Mullane moved out and began to win frees the margin soon came down. The Tribe looked to have it when Kevin and Damien Hayes's points flew over but that late Waterford goal changed everything.

Now the Deise get a chance for revenge when they take on Kilkenny in the All Ireland Semi Final on August 9th in Croker and with much at stake it promises to be a hectic battle and a tighter affair than last September's blowout.

Teams & Scorers:
Waterford: C Hennessy; E Murphy, A Kearney, N Connors; T Browne, M Walsh, D Prendergast; K Moran (0-2), S O'Sullivan; J Nagle, S Prendergast (0-1), S Molumphy (capt); J Mullane (0-1), E Kelly (0-12, (0-11f), S Casey. Subs: M Shanahan for Nagle (44 mins) S Walsh (1-0) for Casey (54), D Shanahan for Moran (63)
Galway: C Callanan; D Joyce, E McEntee, O Canning (capt); F Moore, J Lee, E Lynch; G Farragher (0-2), K Hynes; A Callanan (0-2), C Donnellan, A Smith (0-1); D Hayes (0-3), J Canning (0-9, 0-5f, 1 '65'), N Healy. Subs: J Gantley (0-1) for Healy (55 mins) K Hayes for Donnellan (60)
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)