Joyce stars on Tribe comeback

NICKY JOYCE scored three points on his return to the Galway side for the first time since 2010 as the Tribesmen defeated London in the FBD League at Ballinasloe yesterday.

London started well, into the wind, and were 0-3 to 0-2 after 10 minutes, with Padraig McGoldrick scoring twice and Mark Gottsche adding a 45. However by the break Galway found their rhythm with Cormac Bane kicking over three points, with Michael Martin adding a brace. They led by 0-9 to 0-3 at the interval.

Martin extended Galway’s lead but London hit back with four points from Sean McVeigh, Eoin O’Neill and Fergal McVey. Galway recovered their composure, and Martin, Paul Conroy, Joe Joe Greaney and Joyce added points before a penalty from Martin sealed the win.

Scorers for Galway: M Martin 1-5 (1-0 pen, 3fs), C Bane (1f), N Joyce 0-3 each, M Boyle (45), P Conroy, E Monaghan, JJ Greaney 0-1 each.

Scorers for London: P McGoldrick (2fs), S McVeigh 0-2 each, M Gottsche (45), F McVey, E O’Neill, F Niblock 0-1 each.

GALWAY: M Breathnach; K McGrath, F Hanley, C Holloran; D O’Reilly, G Bradshaw, G Sice; P Conroy, T Flynn; E Monohan, M Hehir, M Boyle; M Martin, N Joyce, C Bane.

Subs: T Fahy for O’Reilly (45), JJ Greaney for Hehir (46), C Rabbitte for Bane (46), G O’Donnell for Holloran (53).

LONDON: E Byrne; N Burke, B Kerr, G Webb; S Mulligan, S Bradshaw, P Finn; M Gottsche, A Concannon; E Mageen, F McVey, C Boyle; P McGoldrick, P McDermott, L Colfer.

Subs: E O’Neill for Colfer (24), S McVeigh for Boyle (24), S Doolan for Finn (28), A Gaughan for Bradshaw (ht), F Niblock for McGoldrick (24).

Referee: D Hunt (Roscommon).