Big wins as expected for NUI Galway and DCU while Queens edge home in Maynooth.

Holders DCU got their quest for back to back titles off to a successful start thanks to an easy 6-14 to 1-7 victory over Athlone IT. The winners had built up a 2-6 to 0-2 interval lead.

Shane Carey tormented the Westmeath combination throughout and the Monaghan corner forward ended up with a grand total of 3-6. Westmeath star Kieran Martin hit 1-5 for the losers.

NUI Galway were also practically home and dried at the break against Trinity. Goals from Michael Daly, Owen Gallagher and Kevin Finn saw the westerners, 3-10 over 0-3, clear following 30 minutes play. Final score, 3-14 to 1-4, for the Galway lads.

A much closer state of affairs in Maynooth though with visitors Queens eventually winning, 0-13 to 1-8. Matters stood, 0-6 to 1-2, at the break with Wexfords Eoin Roche hitting the goal for the home side. Maynooth put in a huge second half effort but the Belfast boys, inspired by the accuracy of Down's Marty Clarke, deservedly took the honours.

NUI Galway - D O'Sullivan; K McDonnell (0-1), D Cunnane, L Burke; J McManus (0-1), D Murray, A Nolan; C O'Shea, P Cooke (0-3f); S Moran (0-1), M Daly (1-2), A Gallagher (0-3, 2f); K Finn (1-3, 0-1f), O Gallagher (1-0), C Davey. Subs: P Mannion for K Finn, E Tierney for O Gallagher, S Conroy for C Davey, L Cullen for D Cunnane, E Boland for D Murray.

Trinity - M Shiels; B Flynn, T McGahern, G Deery; C O'Donoghue, M O'Grady (1-0), K Archbold; S Cunningham, M Walsh; E O'Neill, E Keogh, D Boothman (0-3, 2f); R McCullagh, C O'Driscoll, M O'Sullivan (0-1f). Subs: S Ward for T McGahern, S Mulhern for M Walsh, L Tynan for R McCullagh, R O'Hanlon for M Shiels, J Bell for B Flynn, C MacGearailt for M O'Sullivan.

Referee - C Reilly.

**

DCU - B Flynn; J Smith, D Ward (0-1), P McKenna; S Attride, C Moynagh, C McGonagle; S Carthy (1-0), D Byrne; M Plunkett, D O'Connor (0-2), M Quinn (0-2); S Carey (3-6, 0-4f), C McGraynor (1-0), C McNally. Subs: R Lyons for M Plunkett, E Smith for D Ward, U Harney (1-1) for C McNally, R Connor for M Quinn, C Breheny for P McKenna, D Mannix (0-2) for C McGraynor.

Athlone IT - D O'Connell; D Monagle, A Claffey, M Kearney; D Wharton, S Flynn, A Byrne; E Quigley, M Daly; D McDermott, K Martin (1-5, 0-2f), A Fitzpatrick; C McMonagle (0-2), T Watts, A Coffey. Subs: D Petit for A Coffey, K Rudden for M Daly.

Referee - F Kelly.

**

Queens - J Deeney; G McCabe, C Cullen, B Burns; N Delargy, S Heffron, M Monan (0-1); H Brown (0-1), A Morgan; R Corrigan (0-2), M Clarke (0-5, 3f), D McAleese; R Murray (0-3), G McGovern, C O'Hanlon (0-1f). Subs: R Wells for B Burns, C Hamill for M Monan, C Martin for H Brown.

Maynooth - E McDonagh; E Mullan, J McCarron, J Costello; T Gibbons, T Hannifin, C Slevin; F Conway, E O'Carroll (0-2f); B Duggan, N Flynn (0-4f), P Cribbin (0-1); J Wallace (0-1), R McManus, E Roche (1-0). Subs: F Flanagan for T Hannifin, H Walsh for B Duggan, S Farrell for E Roche.

Referee - M Deegan.

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