Goalkeeper saves Tribesmen against Waterford
Galway 0-18 Waterford 0-11
Galway goalkeeper Liam Donoghue proved himself 'the Prince of Pearse Stadium' this afternoon as his stunning shot-stopping saw the Tribesmen to a much-needed NHL Division 1A victory.
The defending league champions had Donoghue to thank for seven goal shots throughout the 70 minutes - including two penalty saves from the hurl of Eoin Kelly.
He twice denied John Mullane in the first half - initially after 5 minutes when he blocked from point-blank range.
0-03 to no score up after 2 minutes, Conor Hayes' home side were 0-11 to 0-06 up at the break. Ger Farragher clocked in with 0-05 (4f) while Kevin Broderick, David and Damien Hayes were also on target.
For the Deise - who had a 12th-minute penalty saved - Kelly (0-02), Paul O'Brien (0-02) and Mullane picked off the majority of their scores.
Galway continued their dominance in the second half - notching 13 scores from play in total - as Waterford introduced Paul Flynn for the ineffective Dan Shanahan.
A point apiece from Dave Bennett and Mullane did cut Galway's lead to four points midway through the second half, but closing points from Damien Hayes, Derek Hardiman, Broderick and Farragher closed out the deal.
Hayes' lot thus move top of the table on points difference with a trip to lowly Laois to come next weekend.
