Galway 5-29 Antrim 1-22
Developing the depth of the Galway panel has been a constant theme under Henry Shefflin so this particular victory was pleasing for the locals.
In the opening 15 minutes Cathal Mannion and Fintan Burke were forced off injured after Antrim planted an early goal from a Conal Cunning penalty.
Despite the setbacks Galway stayed cool to eventually register an emphatic win in Salthill.
The combination of established and emerging players contributed handsomely for the maroon and white outfit, who led 2-15 to 1-7 at the interval.
After the restart it was a similar story, but Antrim did rifle over some nice scores from distance.
Ultimately Conor Cooney supplied leadership and precision in attack, mining seven points from play.
Inside Declan McLoughlin clipped four, while Kevin Cooney struck 1-2, including a delightful 41st minute major.
Initially Antrim landed a blow when Cunning converted a penalty following an Eanna Murphy foul on Niall McKenna.
Galway, though, were unperturbed. Pádraic Mannion was prominent drilling two long range points as Shefflin's charges recovered to edge 0-9 to 1-2 ahead by the 18th minute.
Cunning (free ) and Keelan Molloy replied for the Saffrons, trimming the margin to two before Galway pounced.
Conor Whelan reacted smartly to gather the sliotar after Ronan Glennon's effort hit the woodwork.
Whelan supplied a goal and the Kinvara clubman struck again on the cusp of half-time to bag a second.
That goal guided Galway 2-15 to 1-7 clear. When the action recommenced Conor Cooney continued to impress, while Kevin Cooney notched a third Galway goal on 41.
Antrim, with James McNaughton effective, were defiant, but Galway grabbed a 47th minute goal.
Conor Cooney crafted the opportunity for substitute Tom Monaghan, who provided a blistering finish.
Another replacement, the promising Liam Collins, subsequently notched Galway's fifth goal in the 56th minute.
Next Sunday's Croke Park clash against Dublin, managed by Micheál Donoghue, should be revealing for Galway, who scored 5-29 from 50 shots.
Antrim's game against Westmeath in Mullingar matters deeply too.
Scorers for Galway: Evan Niland 0-8 (3fs, 165 ), Conor Cooney 0-7, Conor Whelan 2-0, Kevin Cooney and Tom Monaghan 1-2 each, Declan McLoughlin 0-4, Liam Collins 1-0, Pádraic Mannion and Joseph Cooney 0-2 each, Adrian Tuohey and TJ Brennan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Antrim: Conal Cunning 1-3 (1-0 pen, 2fs ), James McNaughton 0-5 (1f, 165 ), Paddy Burke and Conor Johnston 0-3 each, Daniel McKernan 0-2, Joe Maskey, Enda Óg McGarry, Domhnall Nugent, Niall McKenna, Keelan Molloy, and Eoin O'Neill 0-1 each.
Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearóid McInerney, Darren Morrissey; Pádraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Fintan Burke; Joseph Cooney, Ronan Glennon; Conor Cooney, Evan Niland, Cathal Mannion; Kevin Cooney, Conor Whelan, Declan McLoughlin.
Subs: Tom Monaghan for C Mannion (7 ), TJ Brennan for F Burke (15 ), Cianan Fahy for Glennon (48 ), Adrian Tuohey for D Burke (53 ), Liam Collins for Whelan (53 ), Jamie Ryan for J Cooney (63 ).
Antrim: Tiernan Smyth; Paddy Burke, Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Conor Boyd, Ryan McGarry, Enda Óg McGarry; Niall O'Connor, Keelan Molloy; Domhnall Nugent, Conal Cunning, Eoin O'Neill; Niall McKenna, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston.
Subs: Paul Boyle for Walsh (HT ), Joe Maskey for Nugent (50 ), Daniel McKernan for Cunning (50 ), Scott Walsh for Molloy (55 ), Arron Bradley for O'Neill (56 ), Caolan McKernan for Burke (64 ).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary ).
