The Galway senior hurlers made the long trip to Antrim last weekend in the third round of the Allianz National Hurling League. Henry Shefflin's side racked up an impressive score as they waltzed to a 2-35 to 1-13 win in Corrigan Park.
Galway travelled on Saturday well rested for a game in which manager Henry Shefflin had his strongest panel to choose from this year.
The current U20 manager Fergal Healy was part of the last Galway side that played a league game in Antrim way back in 2006, when the home side eked out a famous one-point win in Casement Park.
A Jason Flynn goal within a minute put any notion of a repeat to one side fairly quickly, as Galway’s defence lined out with Fintan Burke at full back and Adrian Touhey and Daithí Burke as wing backs.
Despite playing against the wind, Galway were comfortably in command in the opening period. However, the concession of a Joseph McLaughlin goal will have surely irked the Galway backroom team.
David Burke made his long-awaited reappearance in a maroon jersey, while Tom Monaghan caught the eye with a haul of six points from play. Joseph Cooney came off the bench in the closing stages as Galway improved their scoring difference.
Evan Niland’s free-taking was assured and Flynn bagged a second goal after half time, but with Antrim missing a number of players they were always facing an uphill task.
Elsewhere in Division 1B, Limerick sent out an ominous warning of their intent with an 18-point hammering of Dublin in Croke Park, while Tipperary got the better of Westmeath.
In Division 1A, Cork held off Waterford and Clare drew with Wexford, while Offaly put up a decent showing against Kilkenny before falling to a seven-point loss.
Galway’s next game at home to Dublin on Sunday week will decide whether they automatically gain a place in Division 1A next year, but a St. Patrick’s Day fixture against Limerick is the one that will be more anticipated by supporters.
GALWAY: D Fahy; D Morrissey, F Burke, P Mannion; A Tuohey, C Fahy, (0-2 ), Daithí Burke; David Burke, S Linnane (0-3 ); G Lee (0-1 ), T Monaghan (0-6 ), C Cooney (0-4 ); E Niland (0-13, 10fs ), C Whelan (0-2 ), J Flynn (2-1 ). Subs: R Glennon for Lee (52 ), J Ryan (0-2 ) for Whelan (52 ), D O’Shea for David Burke (54 ), C Mahoney for Daithí Burke (57 ), J Cooney (0-1 ) for C Cooney (58 ).
ANTRIM: T Smyth; P Duffin, R McCloskey, P Burke (0-2 ); N O’Connor (0-1 ), R McGarry (0-1 ), S Walsh; R McAteer, E Campbell (0-2 ); R McMullan (0-1 ), A O’Brien, N McKenna (0-1 ); C Cunning (0-2, 1f ), J McLaughlin (1-0 ), F McCurry. Subs: E Trainor for McAteer (45 ), E Og McGarry for
Campbell (45 ), C McCann (0-2 ) for McCurry (45 ), C McGarry (0-1 ) for O’Brien (56 ), A Bradley for McLaughlin (63 )
Referee: T Gleeson (Dublin ).
