Only once before at minor, U21 or senior level have these two counties met in an All-Ireland hurling final. That was 21 years ago, in the All-Ireland minor hurling final of 1992.

Galway have dominated the game at this level since that day, contesting no fewer than 14 finals and Mattie Murphy will be seeking his seventh title as Tribesmen boss this afternoon.

Throw is is 1.15pm.

These two teams have had very different paths to the final, with Galway playing just two games to Waterford’s seven.

The Déise’s season got off to a difficult start, losing by six points to Tipperary in the Munster quarter final. However, they recovered well to beat Clare and Cork before losing out on a Munster title after Limerick beat them in a replay.

They then made light work of Antrim in the All-Ireland quarter final before digging deep to hold off a strong second half performance from Kilkenny to reach their first final in 21 years.

Galway didn’t begin their championship campaign until late July but showed little sign of ring-rust in Semple Stadium when they overcame Laois by nine points.

There’s already been more than enough written about their semi final with Limerick without me going into it here but Galway had just too much for Limerick in extra-time to book their final spot.

And here are the teams for today’s clash with Galway making a late change at full forward, Jack Hastings coming in for Brian Burke. Waterford, however, are unchanged from their win over Kilkenny.

Galway: Cathal Tuohy; Maidhc Ó Conghaile, Darragh O’Donoghue, Michael Connelly; Sean Linnane, Shane Cooney, Richard Doyle; Eanna Burke, Darragh Dolan (c); Conor Whelan, Ronan O’Meara, Adrian Morrissey; Brian Molloy, Jack Hastings, Conor Shaughnessy.

Waterford: Gavin Power; William Hahessey, Kevin Daly (C), Cian Leamy; Michéal Harney, Austin Gleeson, Shane Bennett; Mark O’Brien, Tom Devine ; Stephen Bennett, DJ Foran, Michael Kearney; Adam Farrell , Patrick Curran, Colm Roche.

Just about 10 minutes until throw-in here and I’d love to know how you think this game will go?

Galway haven’t been overly impressive in either outing so far but Waterford have already lost twice in this year’s championship so it’s really difficult to call.

Referee Cathal McAllister of Cork gets the game under way with Waterford shooting into Hill 16 in the first half.

Waterford 0-2 Galway 0-0: 2 mins

Patrick Curran gets the game’s first score with a handy free from the edge of the square and follows it up a minute later with a free from inside his own half.

Waterford 0-2 Galway 0-1: 4 mins

Galway open their account through a Brian Molloy free from the edge of the square and that should settle any Tribesmen nerves.

Waterford 0-3 Galway 0-2: 7 mins

Stephen Bennett gets the game’s first score from play as the Waterford forward finds just the slightest bit of space to slot over.

However, Galway make it a one point game seconds later through a well-taken Darragh Dolan point.

Waterford 0-3 Galway 0-3: 9 mins

The sides are level for the first time this afternoon as Conor Whelan splits the uprights effortlessly from the left wing.

Waterford 0-3 Galway 0-4:  11 mins

A perfectly executed sideline cut from Arian Morrissey gives Galway their first lead of the game and they’ve now scored three times without reply.

Galway 0-4 Waterford 0-4: 14 mins

Patrick Curran hits his third free of the game to bring Waterford level again and there’s very little to separate these two mid-way through the first half.

Waterford 0-6 Galway 0-4: 16 mins

Suddenly Galway are two points down as Colm Roche gets two scores in the space of a minute and shows his range of skills with points off his right and left both of which could go down as the score of the game so far.

Waterford 0-8 Galway 0-4: 19 mins

Patrick Curran has his fourth point of the afternoon from a 65 after good work by Cathal Tuohy prevents a Waterford goal.

Michael Kearney score a quick point from the puck out and we have the game’s first four point lead.

Waterford 0-9 Galway 0-5: 22 mins

Patrick Curran hasn’t missed a free yet and the Déise have a five point lead with seven minutes of the first half remaining.

However, Ronan O’Meara scores his first point of the game shortly afterwards to give Galway their first score since the 11th minute.

Waterford 0-10 Galway 0-6: 26 mins

Patrick Curran gets his first point from play, his sixth in total, to restore Waterford’s double digit lead.

It’s back to a four point game seconds later thanks to a well-taken point from Galway captain Darragh Doyle.

SUBSTITUTION: Vincent Doyle for Richard Doyle

Waterford 0-11 Galway 0-8: 28 mins

Ronan O’Meara gets his second and third point of the game in a matter of seconds but Stephen Bennett stops the run of Galway scores with a brilliant point of his own in the last minute of the half.

Waterford 0-12 Galway 0-9: 30 + 2 mins

Darragh Dolan brings the game back within two scores but DJ Foran goes straight down the other end to score from a tight angle and give Waterford a deserved three point lead at the break.

The second half gets underway and there’s been another change for Galway with Sean Linnane making way and Eamon Brannigan coming on.

Waterford 0-13 Galway 09: 32 mins

Stephen Bennett denied a goal chance by Cathal Tuohy again but Michael Kearney follows up to give us our first point of this second half.

Waterford 0-14 Galway 0-10: 34 mins

Waterford have started the second period the better of the two sides and it’s a seventh point for Patrick Curran to put five points between the teams.

As he did in the first half, Brian Molloy gets Galways first point of the second from a free.

Waterford 0-14 Galway 0-11: 37 mins

Another Molly free brings Galway back within three as both managers make changes with 20 minutes to go.

SUBSTITUTION: Cormac Curran for Foran (Waterford), Brian Burke for Whelan (Galway)

Waterford 0-14 Galway 0-12: 41 mins

Ronan O’Meara makes it three unanswered scores for Galway and there’s just two points between the sides now as the Tribesmen are starting to make Waterford pay for some misses.

Waterford 0-15 Galway 0-15: 46 mins

Brian Burke is in off the bench to make it a one point game but Mike Kearney replies instantly with a score for Waterford and the Déise have their first point in nearly 10 minutes.

However, down the other end, Brian Molloy’s free and point from play makes it a level game with 14 minutes to go.

Waterford 0-16 Galway 0-15: 51 mins

Tom Devine strikes a wonderful point, his first of the game, from fully 55m out and they retake the lead with less than 10 minutes to go.

Waterford 0-18 Galway 0-15: 54 mins

Cormac Gleeson and Colm Roche puts daylight between the sides with six minutes of left. Galway need a score quickly here.

Waterford 1-19 Galway 0-15: 56 mins

Michael Kearney’s fourth point of the game is followed by what must be the game-winning goal.

Waterford are within minutes of an All-Ireland title.

And it’s all over, Waterford are the All-Ireland minor hurling champions of 2013.

It’s been a long time since Waterford could celebrate an All-Ireland minor hurling title (1948) but there’s no question they deserved it today.

They were the better side all afternoon and really rallied when it looked like Galway had them on the ropes mid-way through the second  half.

Patrick Curran was the Man of the Match and his return of 1-7 was key for the Déise today.

That’s all from me today on the minor liveblog but you can join Fintan here as he brings you minute-by-minute coverage of the senior decider from Croke Park.

Thanks for joining us and congratulations to Waterford on winning the Irish Press cup.