Galway 2-22 – 1-14 Wexford
Galway got their Leinster Championship campaign off to a flying start with a comfortable victory over Wexford at Nowlan Park on Saturday evening.
Eleven points separated the sides at the finish and although the margin flattered the victors in the end, John McIntyre’s side were superior throughout and always looked like they could up their performance if required.
Thirteen points from Ger Farragher laid the foundations for the Tribesmen’s victory while Joe Canning, who was well marshalled by Keith Rossiter throughout, finished with a personal tally of 1-3.
Wexford looked like they might make a game of it midway through the second half when Tomás Waters found the net to reduce the deficit to three points immediately after Andy Smyth was sent off for Galway. Substitute Kevin Hynes goaled for Galway immediately after his introduction, however, to restore Galway’s comfortable cushion and put the game to bed.
Diarmuid Lyng was the standout performer for Wexford with eleven points, but his evening was further spoiled two minutes into injury time as he was harshly shown a red card for a late shoulder charge which deserved a yellow card at best.
Not a world beating performance from Galway, but John McIntyre will be happy to have overcome a potentially difficult opening assignment with the minimum of fuss. The winners of Sunday’s clash between Antrim and Offaly now await Galway in the semi-finals of the Leinster Championship.
