Evan Niland landed 0-13 as Galway accounted for a disappointing Wexford side to get their Leinster SHC campaign off to a winning start at Pearse Stadium.
Niland hit 0-07 from play as Galway recovered from a poor start which saw Wexford hit them for two goals in the opening four minutes.
Galway got back level by the break at 0-11 to 2-05 and then dominated the second-half to run out comfortable winners.
Wexford, despite late withdrawals by centre-back Damien Reck and captain Lee Chin, got a glorious start with two goals inside four minutes to rattle a Galway side who had got off the mark after just 45 seconds when corner-back TJ Brennan soloed forward.
A high ball from the right from Liam Og McGovern got a touch from Conor McDonald as Galway goalkeeper Eanna Murphy advanced to send it to the net.
And then when Rory O'Connor dispossessed Jack Grealish with a hefty shoulder charge, he set up McGovern and the St Anne’s player finished low into the left corner of the net.
Liam Óg McGovern strikes to score Wexford's second goal of the game inside the opening four minutes. pic.twitter.com/TzEUAJy7G9
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 22, 2023
Galway were clearly rattled but two points from play from Evan Niland and one from Brian Concannon settled them and cut the gap to 2-00 to 0-04 after eight minutes.
McGovern got Wexford's first point after ten minutes and after Kevin Cooney and Ronan Glennon pointed for Galway, Wexford hit three on the trot with a couple of frees from Rory O’Connor and one from Cathal Dunbar to make it 2-04 to 0-06 after 26 minutes.
Wexford managed just one more before the break as Galway responded with four points from Niland before Conor Cooney sent them in all square at the break at 0-11 to 2-05.
Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan pointed within a minute of the restart for Galway and while Rory O’Connor responded for Wexford, the Tribesmen hit the next four to lead by 0-17 to 2-06 after 43 minutes.
Then Wexford got a lifeline when McGovern was hauled down by Galway captain Daithi Burke but McDonald’s penalty was poorly hit and Galway goalkeeper Eanna Murphy saved it with ease.
And then Galway hit back with three rapid points from Brian Concannon, Conor Cooney and Niland with his sixth from play to open up a 0-20 to 2-06 lead after 47 minutes.
Wexford never looked like staging a comeback after that as Galway eased their way to victory without ever hitting top gear and Henry Shefflin will now turn his attention to a clash with his native Kilkenny next weekend.
Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearoid McInerney, TJ Brennan (0-01); Padraig Mannion, Daithi Burke, Joseph Cooney; Cathal Mannion (0-01), Ronan Glennon (0-01); Tom Monaghan, Brian Concannon (0-02), Conor Cooney (0-02); Evan Niland (0-13, 0-5f, 0-1 ’65), Conor Whelan (0-02), Kevin Cooney (0-01).
Subs: Cianan Fahy for Concannon (56-58), Fintan Burke for Joseph Cooney (58), Cianan Fahy for Glennon (60), Jason Flynn for Concannon (63), Liam Collins (0-01) for C Mannion (67), Darren Morrissey for Brennan (69).
Wexford: James Lawlor; Liam Ryan, Matthew O’Hanlon (0-01), Conor Devitt; Shane Reck, Conor Foley, Simon Donohoe; Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Conor Hearne (0-01); Oisín Foley, Liam Óg McGovern (1-02), Charlie McGuckin; Rory O’Connor (0-05f), Conor McDonald (1-00), Cathal Dunbar (0-02).
Subs: Jack O’Connor for O Foley (21-26), Jack O’Connor (0-01) for McGuckin (43), Mikie Dwyer for O’Keeffe (46), Richie Lawlor for O Foley (57), Kevin Foley for Hearne (60), Joe O’Connor for C Fley (70).
Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin)
