Déise hoping goal machine in working order for Galway test

For Waterford, this is an eighth game, with two having been lost already. In contrast, it is Galway’s third outing, the straightforward victory over Laois in the quarter-final followed by the drama of the semi-final, which was overshadowed by the malfunctioning of Hawkeye.

Seán Power’s Waterford appear to be coming good at the right time, though, with an unchanged team from the side which beat Kilkenny following earlier chopping and changing.

Stephen Bennett is the marquee forward, but Patrick Curran is well capable of catching fire and the defence has improved, led by outstanding centre-back Austin Gleeson. Conor Whelan and Ronan O’Meara in Galway’s half-forward line will test them, though, and full-forward Brian Burke should have a good battle with Déise captain Kevin Daly.

Éanna Burke – part of the St Thomas’s team which won the All-Ireland club title in March – and Darragh Dolan are impressive in midfield for Galway, and if they can get on top it could be crucial. Nevertheless, in Tom Devine Waterford have a Harty Cup winner, and he and Mark O’Brien are also a formidable partnership.

Waterford have scored 20 goals in their games to date, with Bennett and Curran getting 11 of those. If they are to end the 64-year wait for the Irish Press Cup, green flags will need to be their currency again.

Did You Know? The only other time that these two counties met in an All-Ireland minor final was in 1992. Galway won by 1-13 to 2-4.

Verdict: Galway