Galway hurlers romp home in Mullingar

Galway 3-27

Westmeath   0-19

FLIGHT of fancy, glorious pipedreams and loose chatter of an upset were unmercifully put to bed by 2015 All-Ireland finalists Galway as they got their Leinster senior hurling campaign underway with a comprehensive provincial quarter-final victory over a lacklustre Westmeath outfit at Cusack Park, Mullingar last Sunday.

Given the Mediterranean-like conditions over the Bank Holiday weekend, you would have thought the universe was attempting to give Westmeath the heads up before the delayed throw-in as, first, the black clouds gathered, then lightning filled the humid air before, finally, the heavens opened for a torrential downpour.

In equally Old Testament fashion, Galway’s dismantlement and dismemberment of the home side’s challenge was ruthlessly biblical and, by half-time, the Tribesmen had the job completed having built up an impressive 0-17 to 0-5 lead. This contest was over.

In this opening period, the defence, particularly the half-back line of Padraic Mannion, Daithí Burke and Aidan Harte, had totally dominated and this in turn ensured the supply lines were always open to the forwards.

Joe Canning led the way by clipping over eight points that incorporated every element of marksmanship – three from play, three from frees, one ’65 and one, as ever, sublime sideline cut. Westmeath had simply no answer to him.

Well, they had, as early in the second period corner back Shane Power downed Canning in an off-the-ball incident, which led to Canning’s substitution through injury – a precaution – and the Westmeath defender’s dismissal. The home side were already in a big enough hole without going a man down.

In truth though, the Galway forward unit – and the team as a whole – adopted a very professional approach and this was evident from the throw-in. In the opening five minutes, they hit four points without reply, two from Cathal Mannion, a Canning 65 and a fantastic score from Davy Glennon.

Westmeath did rally subsequently with two points – a Niall O’Brien free and Alan Devine effort – but they were so far off the pace even at this stage that it was difficult to see them causing Galway any great trouble. So, it proved.

In the next half hour or so, Westmeath only scored three more times – all coming from the stick of former NUI Galway student O’Brien – while in contrast Galway tallied 13 points from a myriad of players.

As noted, Canning was to the fore but there were telling contributions from several of the other forwards.  Mannion and Jason Flynn hit two points apiece while Shane Moloney and Conor Whelan also found the target.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune