Galway not fazed by big city

CONNACHT SFC FIRST ROUND Galway 1-18 London 1-7: GALWAY HAD 11 points to spare at Ruislip yesterday in just the type of work-out Liam Sammon's team needed as as they look forward to meeting Sligo in the provincial semi-final.

Seán Armstrong got Galway off the mark with the first of his five points and that score was soon followed by a point from wing back Gareth Bradshaw. Michael Meehan then put the visitors three points ahead with his first score of the day.

Down native Johnny Hughes opened London’s account following an assist from Galway man Chris Donnellan, but not before a Meehan 45 and a Nicky Joyce free sailed over the bar.

Another Armstrong score immediately restored Galway’s five-point margin, but London finished the half better with a free from Adrian Moyles before Armstrong and Kevin McMenamin traded points.

Meehan kicked over his third point, but Cavan man Kevin Downes kept London in touch with their fourth and final score of the half and after Nicky Joyce spurned another goal chance for Galway there was just four points between the sides at the interval, 0-8 to 0-4.

Seven unanswered points in the opening nine minutes effectively ended the contest.

The London goal followed with substitute Mark Alcorn’s lobbing effort deceiving Adrian Faherty, but Galway completed their impressive victory with a late goal from a Meehan penalty.

GALWAY: A Faherty; N Coyne, F Hanley, D Burke; G Bradshaw (0-2), D Blake, G Sice; P Conroy, G ODonnell; S Armstrong (0-5), P Joyce (0-2), D Dunleavy (0-1); N Joyce (0-1, free), M Meehan (1-5, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 45), C Bane (0-1). Subs: F Breathnach (0-1)for N Joyce, M Clancy for Bane, N Coleman for ODonnell, A Burke for Blake.

LONDON: B McBrearty D Conlon, P Malone, B Comer; J Hughes (0-1, free), E OCuiv, C Beirne; P Geraghty, F McMahon; C Donnellan, P Duffy (0-1), O Coffey; A Moyles (0-1, free), K Downes (0-2), K McMenamin (0-1). Subs: D McBride for Malone, M Hughes (0-1)for Moyles, M Alcorn (1-0)for Donnellan, D Keating for Coffey, K McBreen for Conlon.

Referee: M Condon(Waterford).