There was nothing lacking in Derry's preparation, they even travelled to Kilkenny on the previous weekend to train with the All-Ireland champions.

But from midway through the first half any thoughts they may have had of shocking Galway had vanished.

Apart from Galway's winning margin, the only other question answered concerned Ger Farragher and his chances now of emulating a unique record held by Tipperary's Jimmy Doyle.

The gifted Farragher from Castlegar stands only two matches away from equalling Doyle's three All-Ireland minor championhip medals. The unassuming Galway youth was non committal "there's a bit to go yet," he said.

Joe Gantley and Johnny Maher in the corner positions of the Galway attack were repreatedly undermining any measure of confidence that Derry had found in the opening shots.

Galway : P Dullaghan; C Dervan S Kavanagh, C Finnerty; T Og Regan, E Lynch, K Briscoe; G Farragher (0-4 free and 65), T Tierney; B Lucas (0-1), K Hayes (0-3), A Cullanan (1-2); J Gantley (2-4), K Burke (0-1), J Maher (1-6). Subs: A Smith (0-1) for Lucas (39 mins); N Healy (0-1) for Cullinan (40 mins); J O'Leary for Briscoe (49 mins); A Garvey for Farragher (49 mins); K Huban (0-1) for Hayes (54 mins).

Derry: D McDaid; M Hassen, E McGuigan, L Hinphey; P Murphy, D Magill (0-1), C McKenna; B Mullan, R O'Hagan; P Bradley, P McCartney (0-1), S McLoughlin; H P Kelly (1-1), R Convery (0-1), S McBride. Subs: C McCloskey for P Murphy (45 mins); B Quigley for Bradley (53 mins);. F McGuigan fors McBride (53 mins); J Grant for McLoughlin (54 mns).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).