Waterford will meet Limerick in a National Hurling League final for the very first time after the Deise bulldozed their way - quite literally on occasions - to a two-point win over Galway at Nowlan Park earlier.
Pauric Fanning's side rallied in the final third, scoring seven points in a row to over-turn a three-point deficit despite being devoid of the services of Mikey Kearney after a second bookable offence.
Whilst it'll be the first time Waterford have reached a league final since 2015, much of the post-game conjecture surrounds Galway star Joe Canning this evening after the Tribe talisman suffered what looked like a serious injury in a thunderous challenge from Kevin Moran as the game ticked toward injury time.
Some Shoulder just as Canning was about to level the game in front of goal in the dying seconds. Hope Joe is ok. #Gaa pic.twitter.com/bv5wZPviMJ
— Derek Swaris (@DerekSwaris) March 24, 2019
Early reports seem to suggest that the 30-year-olds ailment may indeed be centred on the lower body, despite the rattling blow to the shoulder he received from Moran.
Micheál Donoghue reports Joe Canning injury is a groin/leg issue. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) March 24, 2019
The incident drew striking similarities with another infamous tackle that Canning came out on the wrong end of.
During the 2016 All-Ireland Semi-Final, Galway lost their star turn just before half-time after Canning was mauled by the onrushing Paudie Maher, a hit that nearly put the Portumna man into the front rows of the Hogan Stand.
Canning would severely injure his hamstring about 15 minutes after the incident, and Tipperary advanced to an All-Ireland final by virtue of a single point. A final which they duly cake walked.
Speaking of finals, and indeed All-Ireland champions, it will be the reigning ones who will meet Waterford in next Sunday's league decider.
Limerick went in heavy favourites to progress at the expense of Mattie Kenny's Dublin side, but didn't have it all their own way, in the first of the league semi-final double-header in Kilkenny.
A flurry of scores half-way through the second period won this one for the Treaty, with Seamus Flanagan's goal nine minutes from full-time being the difference between the sides come the whistle.
