Galway 2-22
Offaly 1-13
An exhibition of scoring in the first half laid a powerful foundation for Galway as they waltzed to an easy win over Offaly in Tullamore yesterday.
With the wind on their backs in the first half, Galway really turned on the style and they had the win well and truly in the bag when they went in at half-time leading by 1-17 to 0-5.
Galway played some sensational hurling in that first half.
Physically strong, they were very slick in everything they did and the points flowed over from everywhere.
Offaly certainly had no answer as they were well and truly outplayed in all sectors of the pitch.
David Collins, Joseph Cooney, Andrew Smith and man of the match Dean Higgins were in particularly good form for Galway in that first half.
The visitors took control from the start and were 0-6 to 0-2 up when Galway struck their first goal in the 13th minute with Jason Flynn getting through for a very well taken score.
They continued to drive forward relentlessly and they were 1-11 to 0-3 up when Shane Dooley had a penalty saved by Colm Callanan in the 25th minute.
It all meant that Offaly were on a damage limitation exercise for the second half.
They did manage to achieve that modest ambition, outscoring Galway by 1-8 to 1-7 but there was never the slightest possibility of a come from behind win.
Coast through
A brilliantly taken goal from Joe Canning two minutes after the restart ensured that Galway were able to take their foot off the pedal and coast through the rest of the game.
They were 2-18 to 0-7 clear when Shane Dooley got a consolation goal for Offaly with 23 minutes left.
The only down side for the winning side was when Canning was forced off with three minutes remaining due to a finger injury.
GALWAY: C Callanan; D O'Donoghue, F Moore, P Mannion; C Flynn, D Collins (0-2), G McInerney; J Cooney (0-2), A Smith (0-2); P Brehony (0-3), J Glynn (0-2), D Higgins (0-6, 1 '65'); E Burke (0-1), J Flynn (1-4, 0-4 frees), B Molloy. Subs: J Canning (1-0) for Burke (half-time), J Regan for Molloy (46 mins), J Coen for Collins (46 mins), P Killeen for Glynn (58 mins), P Hannon for Flynn (64 mins).
OFFALY: J Dempsey; P Camon, D Shortt, S Egan; E Nolan, C Egan, C Parlon; S Wynne, S Ryan (0-2); T Carroll, D Currams, G Mann (0-1); S Dooley (1-3, 0-2 frees), S Kinsella (0-1), S Quirke (0-4, 0-3 frees). Subs: N Wynne for Camon (27 mins), C Kiely (0-2, 0-1 sideline) for Wynne (30 mins), D Mooney for Nolan (half-time), A Hynes for Mann (45 mins), E Murphy for Parlon (54 mins).
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).
