Hoare, Martin inspire Galway

FBD Connacht League: Sligo 0-5 Galway 0-14

If Kevin Walsh enjoys a fruitful first year in charge of his native Galway then this could be seen as where it all began. Truthfully though, Galway’s enthusiastic dismissal of an understrength Sligo – Walsh’s former county – will be remembered as simply a decent warm-up game on a cold January Sunday.

Still, full-forward Eddie Hoare’s superb seven-point haul in yesterday’s FBD Connacht League Section ‘B’ tie at west Sligo’s Quigabar, with centre-forward Michael Martin contributing five decent points, hints Walsh has the makings of a useful side. Consider, also, Galway’s midfield power, thanks, chiefly, to Fiontán Ó Curraoin, as well as Garreth Bradshaw’s sturdy showing at centre-back – but Walsh, who was facing the county he managed for five campaigns (2009-13), wasn’t reading too much into the nine-point win.