There was no repeat of the complacency Don O'Riordan accused his players of when Kilkenny City knocked his side out of the FAI Cup last month as Galway United wrapped up the points by halftime.
Having started shakily, Galway settled down to utterly dominate a depleted Kilkenny side until half-time.
Galway scored twice in quick succession in the 10 minutes before the interval.
Captain Billy Clery scored the first from the penalty spot following Richie Purdy's rash challenge on Derek O'Brien.
Two minutes later Galway scored again with O'Brien once more influential; his free-kick from the right glanced home off the head of Brendan O'Connor.
Kilkenny showed some character to take the game to Galway throughout the second-half, but save for half chances from Paul McAreavey and Warren Parkes early on, never threatened.
GALWAY UNITED: Forde; Crossley, Clery, Silke, Morgan; O'Brien, O'Connor, Murphy, Sheridan, Ryan; Lavine. Subs: Keogh for Murphy (68 mins), Goldbey for O'Brien (88 mins).
KILKENNY CITY: Nelson; O'Hanlon, Purdy, Brennan, Murphy; Jackson, Roos, Johnson, McAreavey; Parkes, O'Byrne. Subs: O'Neill for Parkes (87 mins.).
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin)
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