Connacht SH League/Galway Development 0-16 GMIT 0-9:The early portents are favourable. Two victories inside 24 hectic hours suggest Galway are acquiring an invaluable winning habit.
Roscommon were escorted from the Connacht Hurling League at Fuerty on Saturday afternoon. Yesterday in Ballindereen assistant manager Seán Tracey, Michael Murray, and Louis Mulqueen diligently patrolled the sideline in the biting Ballidereen cold as Galway garnered another win against a plucky GMIT. Their report to the absent Ger Loughnane will be loaded with positives.
There was an admirable dash to Galway's hurling. GMIT provided a typically gritty challenge, but lacked the power and penetration that Galway possessed. Galway's more liberal sprinkling of attacking class was critical.
After two injury-ravaged years Mark Kerins is intent on delivering in the maroon again. The rangy forward lofted nine nonchalant points to remind the moderate crowd of his prowess.
Galway dictated the opening period, departing at half-time with a significant 0-12 to 0-2 advantage.
GMIT improved considerably after the break. Conor Hynes struck the frees with crisp accuracy and landed a sublime sideline cut, while centre back Cathal Horan, son of Offaly legend Pádraig, was prominent anchoring the defence.
GMIT chiselled away at the deficit, but Galway remained unperturbed. Joe Gantley, Donal Reilly, and Kerins nailed the insurance points late on. Next Saturday's Connacht League decider with NUIG ought to be interesting.
GALWAY DEVELOPMENT: C Callanan; C Murray (0-1), D Cloonan, F Moore; M Coughlan, J Kavanagh, N Corcoran, J Gantley (0-1), A Cullinane (0-1); D McEvoy, K Hynes, A Callanan (0-1); B Lucas, M Kerins (0-9, four frees), L Smith (0-2). Subs: K Brady for McEvoy (45 mins), D Reilly (0-1) for Callanan (50 mins), E Hyland for Corcoran (55 mins), JP O'Connell for Hynes (57 mins).
GMIT: E Ward; G Brohan, S Kennedy, P Callanan; B Regan, C Horan, N Rogers (0-1); D Barry, C Hands, C Power, K Walsh, C. Hynes (0-5, three frees, one 65, one sideline); M Flaherty (0-3, two frees), C Flannery, E Feeney. Subs: M Bevans for Hands (42 mins), M Keane for Power (61 mins).
Referee: P Greene.
