Searching for More Glory in Galway

25/7/25: Pádraig Amond enjoys sealing a vital 4-2 win for Waterford away to Galway (main picture).

Conan Noonan had opened the scoring with a stunning first-half strike while Amond doubled the lead two minutes into the second period with a left-footed shot from a glorious ball over the top by Rowan McDonald. Stephen Walsh narrowed the deficit with a free header before three goals in five minutes was Darragh Leahy bundle Waterford’s third in, Dara McGuinness immediately reducing the gap again, and Podge wrapping the points up with a penalty.

It was to be the fourth and final win under John Coleman and we didn’t win again until October. The Blues’ next away win came eleven months later against Dundalk at the end of June, but we go into tomorrow with consecutive away triumphs after winning in Derry three weeks ago.

 

 

A year to the day after that win in Eamon Deacy Park, Waterford travel to Galway again tomorrow - this time to Pearse Stadium. It’s Galway’s last game at the GAA ground and they have won all three there to date - 2-1 v Derry, 3-2 v Sligo and 4-0 against Crumlin United in the cup last week.

The Blues were beaten more convincingly than the 4-3 final score suggests in Galway back in March and salvaged a point at home against United in April with a 95th-minute Dean McMenamy equaliser. John Caulfield’s men should have been out of sight by half time in that game and, as comical as stealing a draw was on the night, that point could become extremely valuable come the end of the season.

Galway are six points clear of Waterford with a game in hand, but have had very mixed form over the past three months. They lost their starting goalkeeper Evan Watts when he was recalled by Swansea City and fellow loanee Arthur Parker - a real standout this season - also returned to Wales. Conor McCormack has retired, but United managed to bring experienced midfielder Dylan Connolly in and defender Leigh Kavanagh joined on loan from Bohemians.

There’s a big crowd of Blues fans making the arduous journey west for a five o’clock kickoff tomorrow. Graham Coughlan’s men are the form team in the division and have two of the most lethal goalscorers in the business. Saturday will have a big say in how the rest of the season could pan out.