Recent foes Waterford and Galway United took to the field at the Regional Sports Centre on matchday 15 of the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division season knowing a win for either side could springboard their club into the top half of the most enthralling topflight season in recent memory.
Sixth placed Galway lied just four points off leaders Drogheda United pre-kick-off while the hosts were just eight points following three straight wins under former interim manager Matt Lawlor. John Coleman was set to take charge of his new club for the first time having previously managed in the league with Sligo Rovers.
The two clubs came up to the Premier Division after the 2023 season with the Tribesmen coming away with the First Division title as Waterford won the Promotion/Relegation Playoff against Cork City. And the Blues had to go back to the 2022 First Division Play-Offs for their last win against the westerners. Galway United had since won seven and drawn twice against the south-east club since the 3-0 loss more than two and a half years ago.
The first half chance fell the way of the visitors as target man Patrick Hickey met a lofted cross ten yards from the Waterford goal. However, Stephen McMullan watched it sail over his crossbar. But a warning sign had been issued to the home side over the Tribesmen’s aerial presence.
The hosts had to wait until the quarter hour mark as intricate play down the left hand side involving James Olayinka, Kyle White, Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan set Conan Noonan up from the edge of the box. But the Shamrock Rovers loanee couldn’t control his effort as it sailed high and wide.
And the hosts were starting to get into their groove as good hold up play from Lonergan set Noonan through on goal. He slipped the ball to his left to captain marksman Amond whose low strike was saved well by Brendan Clarke for a corner kick.
And the opening goal came shortly after as on the 27th minute Noonan swung in a ball that was deftly flicked home by Darragh Leahy into the far corner leaving Clarke rooted to the spot on this occasion.
And the final opportunity of the half fell to Noonan as a half clearance from a cross fell to Noonan inside the box, but he powered his volley high and wide.
And the westerners came out all guns blazing with Waterford unable to get out of their own half in the opening stages of the second period.
But the Blues weathered the Galway storm and in the 53rd minute captain Amond had the chance to double his side’s lead as Grant Horton played a deft clipped ball through the Galway defence which set the Carlow native through on goal. But Amond’s left footed strike was saved well by Clarke to keep his side in the match.
More good hold up play by Tommy Lonergan set Grant Horton free on the right-hand side of the Galway box. His cut back to Lonergan was blocked by the Galway defence as he searched for the bottom corner with placement over power.
And it was Lonergan again with the next big chance of the night as he drove forward from deep inside the Galway half to the edge of the box before unleashing a rasper that Clarke again met expertly. The Galway number one keeping his side in the match yet again.
The Blues were finishing strongly as the very involved Noonan ran the length of the Galway half but eventually ran out of road as he was closed down eventually. A pass to his left hand side to Amond could have wrapped up all three points. And just seconds later Noonan and White drilled left footed drives but the Galway goal was yet to be breached for a second time leaving the visitors with a chance to grab something at the RSC.
And Waterford were nearly left to rue their missed chances as a free kick from Hurley found danger man Patrick Hickey. His clinical effort seemed destined for the back of the net if not for a superb save from McMullan.
And McMullan was putting in a late show for the Player of the match as he came from a distance to claim a lofted ball in from David Hurley to ease the tensions that were looming around the ground.
Waterford nearly had a contender for goal of the season as deep into injury time, the Blues worked a fantastic passing move but the finish could not be applied as it just went to the wrong side of the post.
And the tensions were finally lifted after six additional minutes of play came to an end to a vociferous roar as Waterford brought to an end a pitiful run against the visitors. It was now back to back clean sheets for Waterford to complete four straight wins. The result leaves Waterford seventh in the table. Meanwhile the Tribesmen now find themselves in eighth place following three straight defeats.
But after another manic night in the League of Ireland Premier Division, Galway found themselves just six points off first placed Shamrock Rovers. With 21 matches to go in 2025, the league is set to be the tightest title race we have ever seen.
Waterford: McMullan (GK); Horton, Radkowski, Leahy, Burke, White; Olayinka, Glenfield, Noonan; Lonergan, Amond.
Subs: Wade (GK), Bakboord, McDonald, McCormack, Pouwels, Dempsey, McMenamy, O’Sullivan, Keane
Galway United: Clarke (GK); Esua, Byrne, Slevin, Brouder, Donelon (Kerrigan 62’); Hurley, Hickey, McCormack (Horgan 62’); Tollett (McCarthy HT), Dyer (Walsh 75’).
Subs: Watts (GK), Burns, Wilson, Cunningham, Thiam.
Waterford – 1 (Leahy 27’)
Galway United – 0
Referee – Paul Norton
Attendance – 1,937