Galway collected their first two points from the 2013 NFL on Sunday at Pearse Stadium with a three-point win over Brian McIver's Derry.
Both Michael Meehan and Milltown's Michael Martin were impressive and hit a combined 1-8 (3fs ).
Galway started well and, with Derry looking nervous for the first quarter, Alan Mullholland's men led by double scores, 0-8 to 0-4 at half time.
Michael Meehan, who is thankfully injury free for a league campaign for the first time in a few years, fisted a fortuitous goal, which had rebounded off the crossbar from a Michael Martin point attempt four minutes after the restart to put Galway six points in front.
They lost their way a bit in the final quarter and the arrival of four substitutes, Eoin Concannon, Paul Conroy, Gary O’Donnell and Mark Hehir, was crucial in collecting two valuable home points. All four raised white flags and will have pushed themselves into the frame for more game time this weekend.
Manager Alan Mulholland, however, is not getting carried away.
“We were not really satisfied,” he said. “ We played well in the first half and were very happy at half time. We really let the intensity drop totally in the second half. We lost our way, and allowed Derry back into it and we were very happy to get the two points at the end.
“It is great that we can win, and still be a little bit disappointed. But there was some good play in the first half and that is something that we can really build on.”
Galway: M Breathnach; J Moore, F Hanley, J Duane; C Sweeney, G Sice, G Sweeney; N Coleman, F Ó Curraoin; J O’Brien, M Martin 0-3, S Denver; S Armstrong 0-2, M Meehan 1-5 (3fs ), D Cummins 0-1. Subs used: E Concannon 0-1 for O’Brien 46, P Conroy 0-1 for Denver 51, G O’Donnell 0-1 for C Sweeney 52, M Hehir 0-1 for Martin 65.
