Galway's excellent away win in a wind-dominated clash of great rivals at Milltown Malbay yesterday owed much to Rory Gantley's inspirational performance at midfield. But Clare's waywardness played its part. Clare manager Ger Loughnane had his own explanation: "Maybe we overdid it in training in frosty conditions the other night. We tried to loosen up yesterday, but without the desired result."

He stressed, however, that it wasn't a case of non-trying. "We do our best in a game. Maybe it will happen later in the year for us."

Galway opted to play against the powerful wind, and it paid off as they trailed by only two goals at half-time, 0-5 to 2-5. Clare had shown an alarming inability to put scores on the board, despite a huge share of the chances. Scoring from far out seemed easiest, as they were playing with a wind advantage that was worth at least 60 yards, as indicated by puck-outs.

Loughnane's team chalked up 10 first-half wides against Galway's four, but the damage was lessened

by the opportunism of left corner forward Niall Gilligan, who managed to squeeze home two goals against an impressive Galway back line. Indeed the goals were both scored at the expense of the exceptionally steady and effective Liam Hodgins.

Gilligan struck his first head-high to the net off his left side and his second came in the 26th minute when Conor Clancy obliged with a brilliant scoring pass.

The duo promised to strike once more, but Gilligan, who had cleverly moved into a scoring position, dropped Clancy's pass and the chance was lost.

Accuracy was always going to be the main component if Galway were to mount a comeback in the second half, and this was duly delivered. Gantley had been on song through the first half, but his midfield partner, Padraig Walsh, now began to make his presence felt. The Galway midfield was no longer flying on a single wing. Gantley's superb tally of 1-8, the goal from a penalty and three pointed frees, was augmented by Walsh's 1-3.

Walsh's second point was driven over from more than 90 yards to leave only a goal between the sides 17 minutes into the second half. His third point sailed over from halfway, and the Turloughmore man's goal was also a long-distance score. His 40-yard shot flew in off the butt of an upright with Clare goalkeeper Christy O'Connor well beaten.

The high point of Gantley's big day came 22 minutes into the second half when he planted a penalty to the back of the net to level the scores after Mark Kerins was brought down in the square.

Right at the start, the surprise appearance of Ollie Baker and Christy O'Connor, the St Joseph's, Doora-Barefield players, had set the crowd buzzing. It was thought that they would be rested ahead of the club's All-Ireland final against Athenry on St Patrick's Day. "They both felt they needed a match," Loughnane explained.

Baker took over from original midfield choice Gerry Quinn, who later came on as a substitute only to be closely watched by Cathal Moore.

For once, Kevin Broderick had an off-day in the Galway attack and failed to score. He was switched with Ollie Canning in the second half, and Canning benefited from the move.

In defence, Clare were well served by Gordon Malone and Liam Doyle on the right flank, but there was bad news for full back Brian Lohan, who had to retire because of his recurrent hamstring injury.

Two league wins on successive Sundays made Galway manager Mattie Murphy a happy man. But he will be looking for more.

"Going well in the League is one thing, what you produce in the championship is quite another," he declared.

Galway: K Boyle; L Hodgins, M Healy, C Moore; N Shaughnessy, N Larkin, V Maher; R Gantley (1-8, goal from a penalty, two pointed frees, 65), P Walsh (1-3); A Kerins (0-1), M Kerins, K Broderick; O Canning (0-3), O Fahy (0- 1), F Healy. Subs: J Cooney for F Healy (55 mins); D Tierney for Shaughnessy (61 mins); D O'Brien for Maher (70 mins).

Clare: C O'Connor; G Malone, B Lohan, B Quinn; L Doyle, F Flynn, A Daly; O Baker (0-1), C Lynch; T Griffin (0-2), E Flannery, A Markham (0- 5, four frees); K Ralph (0-2, one free), C Clancy, N Gilligan (2-0). Subs: G Quinn for Ralph (halftime); B McMahon for Lohan (70 mins).

Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick).