Waterford search for first points in this years National Hurling League

In the last two years, the National Hurling league games between Waterford and Galway have shaped Waterford’s fete in the competition, and this weekend’s game could well be the same.

Two years ago, Waterford travelled to Salthill written off by the majority of hurling supporters not just in Waterford but across the entire country.

Waterford had suffered losses to Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary in their opening three games and more of the same was expected. Changes were made to the Waterford management set up. Nicky Cashin and Brother Philip Ryan had resigned following the results achieved in their first three games working along side Michael Ryan and Pat Flanagan.

They were replaced by former county stalwarts Ken McGrath and Sean Cullinane and the move had an immediate impact on the team as Waterford recorded a rare win in the Western Province and in doing so secured their place in the top flight of the league.

Last year Galway visited Walsh Park for the final round of games. Going into the game Waterford sat top of the pile. A draw would secure a place in the last four of the competition, but it was not to be as the Tribesmen not for the first time gave Waterford a torrid time on their own patch and ran out winners.

Both sides finished level on five points. Waterford had the better score average but missed out on a place in the semi finals alongside Kilkenny and Tipperary as well as Division 1B winners Dublin as a result of loosing the head to head between the two.

This year’s game following Waterford’s loss to Tipperary last weekend is going to be crucial.

Wth big games to come against the likes of Kilkenny and Clare, Waterford will be targeting two points in this game along with the game against Dublin if they are to reach the knockout stages of the competition as Waterford will not want to finish in the bottom two of the league as it would mean a relegation play off.

Galway are a side that are hard to figure out at the best of times.

They are constantly putting together some excellent underage teams but are unable to bring this talent forward to the next level.

Two years ago they won the Leinster senior hurling final and in the All-Ireland final and its subsequent replay they had chances to beat Kilkenny but failed to take them and therefore had to settle for second best.

Last week they easily accounted for Dublin but hurling fan’s in Galway will be asking themselves can they put together s similar performance again.

Waterford down the years always tends to get the better of Galway in the championship but in the league it is the Tribesmen that often come out on top.

Waterford despite last weekends disappointing loss to Tipperary and Galway’s win over Dublin will be confident of collecting their first brace of points in this year’s league from this game.

In the first half against Tipperary Waterford looked good but in the second half the home side got on top. The half back line for Waterford which stood out in the first half never reached the same heights.

Scoring from play also proved a problem for Waterford in that game. If Waterford can put this to right this weekend, then the two points are there for them to be taken.