Galway have won their first All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final since 1988 after beating Waterford in Croke Park this afternoon.
It was a breathless affair that hung on a knife edge for 60 of the 70 minutes until Galway finally managed to put clear daylight between themselves and the Munster men towards the end.
The Tribesmen looked up for the Liam MacCarthy Cup from the word go, putting four points on the board in the opening three minutes with no response. Goals in the first-half from Kevin Moran and Shane Bennett kept Waterford in the game and gave confidence to Waterford, but Galway always seemed a step or two ahead.
The talismanic Joe Canning did the business for his side, scoring 9 of Galway’s points, giving the performance that his potential has always promised.
A breathless few minutes in the final ten saw Galway go from one point to four points up, and after a regrettable wide from Austin Gleeson, who failed to score throughout, the momentum stuck with the men from the West.
Here’s what Twitter had to say, as Galway beat Waterford 0-26 to 2-17 to claim the All-Ireland title for the first time in almost 30 years.
Nothing really tells the story of a game – or a phase of play – quite like the wides count. Waterford seem to have left the building.
— Aidan (@AidanCoughlan) September 3, 2017
Marty; "Michael Flatley wouldn't do it in Riverdance, but Joe Canning does it in Croke Park in front of 82,300." Genius Marty! #GalvWat
— Marc MacLiam (@marcmacliam) September 3, 2017
Is Austin Gleeson still in Waterford? #GAA #galvwat
— Eimear Keenan (@eimeark10) September 3, 2017
Austin Gleeson having a shocker. Yet to score #GalvWat
— daire's auld lad (@dj_breathnach) September 3, 2017
Ball winning ability of the Galway forwards the difference particularly from the replacements. #GALvWAT
— Richard O'Keeffe (@ROKeeffe1) September 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/Eimhin_McEvoy/status/904373954802003969
There is no show like a Joe show! #GalvWat #Joe4Liam #JoeCanningIsBae #galway
— Meghan Tyner (@glitzanglam) September 3, 2017
