SHC Qualifier Round Three/ Galway 3-21 Westmeath 0-6: Galway cruised to victory over Westmeath at Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening but manager Conor Hayes is demanding a big improvement from his side if they are to make an impact in the race for the All-Ireland.
"We have defeated Laois twice and got wins against Tipperary and now Westmeath. The players need to step up from here and not rest on the laurels from last year.
"We are giving away too many soft scores and too many easy frees. We tightened up on conceding scores in this one but we have to stop giving away so many frees." Despite the benefit of a strong wind, Westmeath trailed 1-10 to 0-2 at the interval, Damian Hayes getting Galway's opening goal after 23 minutes. With Portumna midfielder Eoin Lynch and wing-forward Cathal Connolly (son of Galway legend John) marking their first championship starts with impressive displays, Galway took complete control.
Two goals in a minute from Ger Farragher and David Forde in the third quarter extended Galway's lead. Galway finished with 14 men after wing-back Derek Hardiman was sent off for a second bookable offence.
GALWAY: L Donoghue; D Joyce, T Regan, O Canning; D Hardiman, S Kavanagh, G Mahon; F Healy (0-1), E Lynch (0-1); C Connolly (0-2), D Forde (1-2), D Tierney (0-1); D Hayes (1-3), G Farragher (1-6, 1-5 frees), N Healy (0-2). Subs: K Broderick (0-1) for Forde (50 mins), C Dervan (0-1) for F Healy (50 mins), C Coen for Mahon (55 mins), K Wade (0-1) for Hayes (56 mins), A Ryan for Donoghue ( 60 mins).
WESTMEATH: M Briody; JP Murray, C Murtagh, C Jordan; B Connaughton, D McCormack, N Gavin; P Graville, G Gavin; D McNicolas, B Murtagh (0-1), J Shaw; B Smith (0-2), A Mitchell (0-3, three frees), J Clarke. Subs: B Kennedy for Connaughton (27 mins), P Clarke for McNicolas (half-time), D Devine for Graville (half-time), T O'Keeffe for J Clarke (43 mins), M Williams for McCormack (70 mins).
Referee: G Devlin (Armagh).
