Galway minors through to final

Galway 2-22 Waterford 1-18, Croke Park

Despite a determined Waterford challenge, a 57th minute goal from Niall Burke copperfastened Galway's qualification for the ESB All-Ireland Minor Championship final on September 6.

Galway's biggest leading margin in today's game at Croke Park was a seven-point gap, which they held for the first time in the 49th minute following Burke's fifth point of the game.

However, Waterford ensured that the Tribesmen were in for a testing closing quarter when Paudie Mahony slipped through for a much-needed goal.

The Ballygunner native showed great persistence as he directed the ball over the line, after a mistake by Galway goalkeeper Fergal Flannery as a long ball came in from Deise substitute John Prendergast.

The game began at an intense pace with Waterford free-taker Martin O'Neill slotting over the first of his nine points - but Galway were quick to reply.

A trio of scores from Davy Glennon, Niall Burke and Shane Maloney gave the westerners a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the sixth minute.

Waterford responded with three of the next four points - Paudie Mahony, O'Neill and Brian O'Halloran were on target - to ensure the sides were level for the second time at 0-4 apiece.

The sides were level on two further occasions within five minutes, and although Waterford took the lead thanks to a point from O'Neill and a superb Finan Murray sideline cut, Galway gained the upper hand before the interval.

It was a 25th-minute goal from Turloughmore full-forward Ronan Badger which provided the catalyst for Galway's 1-12 to 0-11 half-time lead.

Badger rasped a powerful strike to the net after excellent work by captain Richie Cummins and midfielder Davy Glennon.

Galway edged six points clear within three minutes of the restart with scores from Niall Burke and Regan.

Rallying well, Waterford pointed through Murray and O'Neill and then Mahony's brought the Deise youngsters to life.

But Galway managed to wrestle back control thanks to Burke's goal, which confirmed the county's passage through to their eighth All-Ireland minor final this decade.

GALWAY: F Flannery; S Coen, D Burke, C Burke; J Brehony, D Fox, J Cooney; J Regan (0-04), D Glennon (0-02); B Flaherty, N Burke (1-07, 6f), J Grealish (0-01); R Cummins (0-03), R Badger (1-01), S Maloney (0-03).

Subs used: M Horan for Brehony (18 mins), C Creaney for Flaherty (40), M Keating for Cummins (46-47, blood), T Harran (0-01) for Fox (50), M Keating for Grealish (59).

WATERFORD: S O'Keeffe; L Egan, T Costello, M Wyse; J Dee, P Mahony, D Fives; F Murray (0-02, 1sl), M O'Neill (0-09, 8f); P Mahony (1-03), B O'Halloran (0-04), R Cahill; P Prendergast, J Dillon, I Galgey.

Subs used: K Moore for P Prendergast (36 mins), J Prendergast for Cahill (41).

Referee: Tony Carroll (Offaly)