CONNACHT LEAGUE/Galway 2-9 Leitrim 0-5:GALWAY DOMINATED the exchanges during most of the first half in Ballinamore while Leitrim, to their credit, produced a more cohesive response to their opponents in the second period.

It took eight minutes to register a score and it was fitting that the best player on view, Nicky Joyce, should have been the provider with a pointed free and finish the opening half with a goal to see his side lead by 1-4 to 0-2 at the break.

Within five minutes Leitrim had reduced the arrears with two points from James Glancy and Colin Clarke. But that was as good as it got for the home side as Galway once again took control with Paddy Kennedy scoring a goal with seven minutes remaining.

GALWAY: P Doherty; J Murphy, F Hanley, D O’Neill, T Fahy, G O’Donnell, JP O’Connell, M Lydon, C Healy, N Coleman, C de Paor, P Kennedy (1-0), M Martin, J Bergin (0-1), N Joyce (1-6, two frees). Subs: M Clancy (0-1) for C Healy, O Concannon (0-1) for M Martin, N Coyne for JP O’Connell, D Meehan for C de Paor, B Cullinane for M Lydon.

LEITRIM: G Phelan; P Maguire, J McKeon, D Beck; W McKeon, B Prior, J Glancy (St Mary’s) (0-1); S Canning, D Sweeney; C Maguire (0-1), C Clarke (0-1), M Foley (0-1, free); R Kennedy (0-1, free), J Glancy (Glencar/Manorhamilton), D Gilhooley. Subs: E Lyons for G Phelan. D Reynolds for P Maguire. E Mulligan for R Kennedy. D OConnor for D Gilhooley. P McGuinness for M Foley.

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).