ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Galway 1-24 Offaly 1-10:A RAMPANT Galway side enjoyed a remarkably trouble-free afternoon when they recorded a 1-24 to 1-10 win over Offaly in Tullamore yesterday.
The 14-point winning margin aptly summed up the difference between the teams and, indeed, Galway could have won by a lot more if they had really turned the screw.
They are displaying impressive early-season form and this was their second week to rattle up 1-24 although it must be said that Offaly and Wexford do not match up to the opposition that awaits for the remainder of the league campaign.
From an early stage, it was obvious that this would be a facile victory for Galway. Playing against the wind in the first half, they controlled the game from the start and had four points on the board before Offaly found their feet.
The home side settled after this and by the 16th minute, they had the gap back to a point, 0-5 to 0-4, but some very bad wides in this period did not help their cause. Galway pulled clear with ease and they were 0-9 to 0-5 ahead at the break. Offaly midfielder, Cathal Parlon was sent off for a second yellow half just before the interval meaning the visitors faced an uphill battle for the rest of the game.
Any slim hopes that Offaly may have harboured were ended within two minutes of the restart when Aongus Callanan netted a fine goal. Offaly were on a damage limitation exercise after this as Galway added 15 points from a variety of distances and angles.
Galway’s score taking was particularly impressive and when they did inject pace into their play, they looked a quality team. Offaly continued to struggle and a late goal from a Joe Bergin free could scarcely be described as a consolation score.
A highlight for Galway was the form of Iarla Tannian who scored six superb points from play and gave the Offaly defence a torrid time.
Ger Farragher was deadly accurate from frees and Éanna Ryan came into his own in the second half as Galway more or less did as they wished.
GALWAY: C Callanan; D Collins, J Lee, G O'Halloran; G Mahon, T Óg Regan, A Cullinane (0-2); D Barry, D Burke (0-3); E Ryan (0-4), A Smith, G Farragher (0-8, six frees, sideline); A Callanan (1-0), I Tannian (0-6), J Coen (0-1). Subs: D Hayes for Mahon (42 mins), N Healy for Regan (47 mins), N Cahalan for Coen (59 mins), K Kilkenny for A Callanan (63 mins), B Murphy for Burke (67 mins).
OFFALY: J Dempsey; B Mulrooney, D Kenny, S Egan; D Hayden, P Healion, D Morkan; C Parlon (0-1), K Brady; B Carroll (0-1), J Bergin (1-4, 1-2 frees), C Egan; S Dooley (0-3, one free, one 65), P Bermingham, S Wynne. Subs: M Cordial (0-1) for Brady (25 mins), M Verney for Kenny (half-time), O Kealey for Bermingham (half-time), J Mulrooney for Wynne (45 mins), G Healion for Dooley (63 mins).
Referee: B Kelly(Westmeath).
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