Galway 2-18
New York 0-8

Shane Walsh and Damien Comer struck second half goals as Galway cantered to a 16-point victory over New York in the opening game of this year's football championship at Gaelic Park.

Five years ago, the Tribesmen received the fright of their lives in the corresponding fixture, but they had things very much their own way this time around in The Bronx as they booked a Connacht SFC quarter-final meeting with Leitrim.

Showing three changes to their selected line-up, the winners recovered from a slow start to take a 0-9 to 0-4 lead into the break. And the result was never in doubt after Walsh netted within two minutes of the restart.

New York, for whom former Wexford star PJ Banville scored all but one of their points, put up a brave fight, but their lack of competitive action and fitness really showed in the second half when the Tribesmen did as they pleased.

The hosts established an early 0-2 to 0-0 lead thanks to scores from Banville and Gary O'Driscoll. Damien Comer eventually opened Galway's account from a '45' after nine minutes before Shane Walsh tied up the scoring.

Banville and Walsh traded points before Comer scored two-in-a-row to give Kevin Walsh's charges a 0-5 to 0-3 lead. Another Banville free left the minimum in it, but Galway registered the last four points of the half per Comer, Peadar O Griofa (two) and Walsh to lead by five at the break.

Banville notched his fourth point on the restart, but the game took a decisive turn in the visitors' favour when Gary O'Donnell teed up Walsh for the opening goal. Danny Cummins tagged on a point to extend the lead to 1-10 to 0-5 before Banville replied for the rapidly fading Exiles.

By now, Galway had assumed complete control as O Griofa, captain Paul Conroy, Sean Denvir, Comer ('45') and Walsh added points before Comer raised their second green flag in the 59th minute.

Walsh was on target again before Banville's sixth point from a free left it 0-7 to 2-16 with seven minutes remaining. Fiontan O Curraoin got in the scoring act before Banville and substitute Michael Martin traded late points.

Galway - T Healy; J Duane, F Hanley, C Sweeney; L Silke (0-1), G O'Donnell, S Denvir (0-1); F O Curraoin (0-1), P Conroy (0-1); G Sice, S Walsh (1-4), E Hoare; P O Griofa (0-4, 2f), D Comer (1-4, 0-2'45), D Cummins (0-1). Subs: P Varley for S Denvir, T Flynn for P Conroy, M Martin (0-1) for G Sice, M Lundy for E Hoare, A Varley for D Comer.

New York - G Joyce; R McGinley, G McCartan, K Quinn; B Gibbons; K Scally, C Maginn; A Hope, B Connor; J Kelly, N McFeely, D Freeman; JJ Matthews (0-1), PJ Banville (0-7, 4f), G O'Driscoll. Subs: K Moynagh for C Maginn, G McCullagh for A Hope, D Nation for B Connor, E McPhillis for J Kelly.

Referee - C Branagan.

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