Galway 1-19 GMIT 0-4:A scoring spree which yielded 1-9 without reply either side of half-time saw Galway qualify for the final of the Connacht League at the Micheál Breathnach's club grounds in Inverin yesterday.

Galway cut loose after the students had held an edge in the opening quarter. Three points from John McGrath and a 45 from Longford's Stephen McCormack helped GMIT to establish a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after 15 minutes. But with Barry Cullinane and Paul Geraghty getting on top in the middle of the field and Derek Savage looking sharp up front, Galway took control. Nicky Joyce, who landed seven points, pushed Galway in front while Ja Fallon hit three excellent scores.

Galway led by 0-9 to 0-4 at half-time, with Joyce and Fallon tacking on points after the restart. Seán Armstrong got the game's only goal after 46 minutes. The introduction of Roscommon minor star Donie Shine energised GMIT and he chipped in with two long-range points from placed balls.

GALWAY: C King; A Burke (0-1), D Burke, D Mullaghy; M Comer, N Coyne, P Gately; B Cullinane, P Geraghty (0-1); D Savage (0-4, one free), J Fallon (0-3), J Bergin (0-1); F Burke (0-1), N Joyce (0-7, three frees), S Armstrong (1-1). Subs: P Carty for Comer (half-time), J Clifford for Cullinane (46 mins), P Doherty for King (48 mins), J Boylan for Geraghty (56 mins), B Dooney for Bergin (60 mins).

GMIT: R Cullen; J Varley, S Walshe, G Begley; P McGinley, A Geraghty, T Cunniffe; P Regan, T Hughes; J Hayes, B Lee, G Higgins; J McGrath (0-3, two frees), S McCormack (0-1, 45), A Gunning. Subs: S Ryder for Cunniffe inj (31 mins), S Kavanagh for Gunning (half-time), E Concannon (0-1) for Lee (half-time), D Shine (0-2) for McGrath (50 mins), L Giblin for Begley (61 mins).

Referee: B Kinneavy (Na Piarsaigh).