Galway have comfortable victory over Westmeath

Galway 1-21 Westmeath 0-16

Galway had a comfortable victory over Westmeath in the Walsh Cup game played in Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

The game turned into a shoot-out between freetakers Jason Flynn of Galway and Brendan Murtagh of Westmeath, who amassed 19 of the 37 points between them from placed balls.

Galway led at the break by two, (0-11 to 0-9), but during the third quarter they increased that lead to five points.

With Westmeath struggling to stay with their opponents, Galway cemented their victory in the 61st minute when the excellent Joseph Cooney slipped a pass out to Jason Flynn for the game’s only goal.

Murtagh was in fine form for an experimental Westmeath side, but Galway had too much physical strength and class with Geraroid McInerney, Eanna Burke, Joseph Cooney and Jason Flynn all impressing.

Scorers for Galway: J. Flynn 1-12 (0-11 frees), E. Burke 0-4, P. Brehony 0-2, J. Cooney 0-1, D. Higgins 0-1, B. Molloy 0-1.

Scorers for Westmeath: B. Murtagh 0-10 (0-8 frees), A. Devine 0-2, E. Corrigan 0-1, D. Clinton 0-1 sideline ball, K. Murphy 0-1, N. Flanagan 0-1.

GALWAY: A. Ryan; C. Flynn, F. Moore, P. Mannion; K. Hynes, D. Collins, G. McInerney; J. Cooney, A. Smith; P. Brehony, D. Higgins, E. Burke; J. Regan, J. Flynn, B. Molloy.

Subs: J. Glynn for J. Regan (51), D. O’Donoghue for C. Flynn (60) , G. Kelly for D. Higgins (60 minutes), P. Hannon for K. Hynes (65) , P. English for G. McInerney (67) .

WESTMEATH: S. McGovern; L. Varley, A. Craig, K. Duncan; A. McGrath, A. Clarke, S. Power; C. Boyle, J. Clarke; J. Boyle, A. Devine, E. Corrigan; N. Dowdall, B. Murtagh, N. Conaty.

Subs: G. Greville for L. Varley (half time), D. Clinton for N. Conaty (half time), N. Flanagan for A. Clarke (42) , K. Murphy for N. Dowdall (58) .

Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).