Galway outclassed Wexford in the second-half on the way to landing both the opening round NHL Division 1A points and also the Walsh Cup following Saturday's floodlight showdown at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Outside of a glut of wides, the home-side had appeared in fine fettle despite the sides tying on 0-10 apiece at half-time.
But Galway supremo Henry Shefflin sprung Brian Concannon to devastating effect for the second-half, and despite a brace of outstanding saves from Wexford 'keeper Mark Fanning in the early stages, the Tribesmen outstripped the hosts by 0-13 to 0-5 in the closing period on the way to a runaway victory.
The protagonists each fielded league debutantes at number five – Conor Foley (Wexford) and Eoin Lawless (Galway) - while Galway were shorn of the Cooneys – captain Joseph, Kevin and John – owing to the sad passing of their grandmother.
Wexford were hindered by poor finishing at the start – accounting for six of the first eight wides – while Damien Reck drew first blood from a free 100 yards out in the fifth minute, before Donal O’Shea snapped back on seven minutes.
The home-side appeared to be sorting their radar when dashing ahead by 0-5 to 0-2 after twelve minutes as Conor McDonald (free), Mikie Dwyer and Charlie McGuckin (two) delighted their supporters.
Kevin Foley was nudged out in a cracking goaling chance before Galway, having pegged it back to 0-6 to 0-4 through Conor Whelan and Evan Niland (free), earned a dubious penalty for an apparent holding offence on Niland.
But Wexford ‘keeper Mark Fanning distinguished himself with a diving save to his right from Niland’s attempt.
Regardless, with Conor Whelan dropping back as a sweeper on occasion, Galway had the better of the second quarter to draw level on 0-10 apiece at the break – with Wexford leading the wides-count by six – as four more Niland placed-balls were added to by Tiernan Killeen and Jarlath Mannion.
But despite their upswing, Galway rang the changes for the restart as Ronan Murphy, Brian Concannon and Oisín Salmon were summoned.
And Concannon teed-up Jason Flynn for a gilt-edged goaling opportunity on 39 minutes only to be thwarted by advancing Wexford ‘keeper Fanning, who made another crucial intervention on 43 minutes after Concannon put Ronan Murphy racing through into acres of space, with Murphy earning a booking for a frustrated challenge.
Galway were turning the screw though, and they eventually hit the front for the first time after 49 minutes (0-12 to 0-11) before a kicked conversion from Concannon swelled their advantage to 0-16 to 0-11 on 55 minutes.
Evan Niland’s composed placed-ball shooting stood out during that spell, with the Clarinbridge man adding three gems to his tally.
And Galway’s rampage continued, with Seán Linnane, Jason Flynn and subs Liam Collins and Ronan Murphy getting amongst the scorers, while a deflated Wexford sources scores of little real consolation from Naomh Eanna trio Charlie McGuckin, Conor McDonald (two frees) and Cathal Dunbar.
Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearóid McInerney, Darren Morrissey (0-1); Eoin Lawless, Pádraic Mannion, TJ Brennan; Tiernan Killeen (0-1), Seán Linnane (0-1); Tom Monaghan (0-1), Conor Whelan (0-2), Donal O’Shea (0-1); Evan Niland (0-10, 9 frees, 1 ‘65), Jarlath Mannion (0-1), Jason Flynn (0-1).
Subs: Martin McManus for Flynn, temp. 27-28; Ronan Murphy (0-1) for Killeen (HT), Brian Concannon (0-1) for J. Mannion (HT), Oisín Salmon for Brennan (HT), Liam Collins (0-2) for O’Shea (60), Jack Fitzpatrick for McInerney (67).
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Shane Reck, Liam Ryan (0-1), Conor Devitt; Conor Foley, Damien Reck (0-2, 1 free), Simon Donohoe (0-1); Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Kevin Foley (0-1); Conor Hearne, Liam Óg McGovern, Charlie McGuckin (0-3); Cathal Dunbar (0-2), Conor McDonald (0-4, 3 frees), Mikie Dwyer (0-1).
Subs: Corey Byrne-Dunbar for McGovern (50), Jack Doran for Foley (54), Rory Higgins for Dwyer (54), Connal Flood for Hearne (61), David Clarke for S. Reck (66).
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow).
