Galway 6-25 UCD 1-8: RUTHLESS GALWAY showed UCD no mercy as they went out of their way to give new manager Anthony Cunningham the perfect start to his reign in the Walsh Cup at Belfield yesterday.

Not even the fact that UCD were below strength, that the conditions were horrific and the match was moved to the UCD all-weather pitch, take from what was a seriously impressive display from the Tribesmen.

“UCD probably weren’t at their strongest, but it was a day of work for us and we’ll be looking forward to improving and driving on. We are playing again next Sunday (against Laois) and that’s what we want, to play matches at this time of the year to get ready for a huge league campaign.”

A fit-looking Joe Canning scored 1-6 in a first-half cameo and Galway led 4-16 to 0-4 at the break. The Tribesmen had nine different scorers.

UCD’s star player was their goalkeeper Jamie Ryan, a Galway senior panellist, who made four breathtaking saves that prevented a heavier defeat. Noel McGrath tried in vain to conjure openings while Kilkenny native Cathal Kenny looked sharp in midfield.

GALWAY: J Skehill; D Connolly, D Collins, F Moore; B Flaherty, T Og Regan, P Huban; A Smith (0-2), C Donnellan (0-1); D Burke (1-0), I Tannian (1-2), C Cooney (2-6, 0-2 65s); J Coen (0-1), J Canning (1-6, 0-2 65s), D Hayes (1-3). Subs: J Regan (0-4) for Canning (ht), M Leydon for T Og Regan (ht), P Shiel for Moore (ht), E Ryan for D Burke (45 mins), D Cooney for Huban (55 mins).

UCD: J Ryan; D Nash, O Gough, J Doughan; J Lyng, D O'Sullivan, S Norton; D Plunkett, C Kenny (0-4); D Fox, N McGrath (1-2), C Allis (0-1); F Clabby, J McMahon, K O'Loughlin (0-1). Subs: J Gilligan for O'Sullivan (40 mins), M McCaffrey for Lyng (50 mins).

Referee:J Owens (Wexford).