Galway 1-21
Westmeath 0-16

Jason Flynn scored 1-12 as Galway made a winning start to their season against Westmeath in Mullingar.

The Tommie Larkin's clubman was deadly accurate from both frees and open play, capping a fine performance with the game's only goal nine minutes from time after being set up by Joseph Cooney. Galway will now play Offaly next weekend in a game that will decide who wins the group.

Brendan Murtagh, who also posted an impressive tally (0-10), grabbed the first two points for the home side, but Flynn soon had the sides level on 0-3 apiece before Galway eased into a 0-9 to 0-4 lead after 20 minutes thanks to scores from Eanna Burke, Padraig Brehony and Cooney.

But Westmeath rallied with points from Murtagh, Alan Devine and Aaron Corrigan to trail by just two, 0-9 to 0-11, at the break.

The Tribesmen resumed with unanswered points from Dean Hggins, Brian Molloy and Flynn to establish a 0-16 to 0-9 lead before Murtagh eventually opened the Lake County's second half account in the 47th minute.

The hosts then enjoyed a fine spell which saw them reduce the deficit to three, 0-13 to 0-16, but Anthony Cunningham's men pulled away again in the final quarter with points from Burke and Flynn, and the insurance goal from the former.

Galway - A Ryan; C Flynn, F Moore, P Mannion; K Hynes, D Collins, G McInerney; J Cooney (0-1), A Smith; P Brehony (0-2), D Higgins (0-1), E Burke (0-4); J Regan, J Flynn (1-12, 0-11f), B Molloy (0-1). Subs: J Glynn for J Regan, G Kelly for C Flynn, D O'Donoghue for D Higgins, P Hannon for K Hynes, P English for G McInerney.

Westmeath - S McGovern; L Varley, A Craig, K Duncan; A McGrath, A Clarke, S Power; C Boyle, J Clarke; J Boyle, A Devine (0-2), E Corrigan (0-1); N Dowdall, B Murtagh (0-10, 8f), N Conaty. Subs: D Clinton (0-1sl) for N Conaty, G Greville for L Varley, N Flanagan (0-1) for J Clarke, K Murphy (0-1) for N Dowdall.

Referee - P O'Dwyer.

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