Hurling: Galway overwhelm Derry in quarter final

Galway 4-23, Derry 1-11

Galway have won their quarter-final clash against Derry in the Bank of Ireland hurling championship.

The tribesmen chalked up a comprehensive 21-point win over their rivals.

The final score reflected a relentless Galway assault on a clearly-overwhelmed Derry side.

In their first real competitive fixture of the year the Galway team appeared sharp and hungry although the poor quality of opposition provided by the reigning Ulster Champions will reduce the significance of today's score line.

Stunning solo displays by two of Galway's forwards helped the Connaught side to an easy victory, with Eugene Cloonan scoring 2 goals and 11 points and Kevin Broderick scoring the other two goals and several points.

Derry were unlucky to have been beaten so convincingly after they spurned several valid goal opportunities, with their star full forward, Geoffrey McGonigle in particularly fine form. The final score at Croke Park was Galway 4-23, Derry 1-11.

After final whistle, Galway team manager Mick McNamara said: "We need to stay focused because there are bigger challenges ahead."

And he added that he expected Limerick to take the second of today's quarter finals against Wexford. "It looks like Limerick all the way. They've prepared very well," he said.