A first ever Leinster SHC meeting between Galway and Antrim ended in a facile 19-point win for the Tribesmen as they saw off the visitors at Pearse Stadium.
It was a low key encounter from start to finish as Galway had far too much firepower for an Antrim side hoping for a first championship win over the Tribesmen in 80 years.
Galway, playing with the breeze, led by 2-15 to 1-07 at the break in a low intensity opening half.
Full-forward Conor Whelan got both goals in an opening half where seven Galway players found the target as they pulled away approaching half-time.
Antrim kept just one forward up front for long periods and they got a great start when Niall McKenna was fouled by Galway goalkeeper Eanna Murphy and Conal Cunning dispatched the resultant penalty low to the net.
Galway eventually got moving with Conor Cooney, who landed four from playing before the break, picking off some good points, but they only by 0-06 to 1-02 at the end of the opening quarter.
Two points from Evan Niland and a second of the match from wing-back Padraic Mannion pushed Galway in front but Cunning and Keelan Molloy responded for Antrim.
Then Whelan pounced for his opening goal after a mistake by championship debutant goalkeeper Tiernan Smyth after 28 minutes and while Antrim captain and corner-back Paddy Burke hit back with his second point, three in a row from Galway pushed them 1-12 to 1-06 in front heading into stoppage time.
Conor Johnston managed a point for Antrim but the Tribesmen finished the half strongly with 1-03, Whelan getting his second goal with a superb shot after coming in from the right.
Galway got the opening three points after the restart and just after James McNaughton pulled one back for Antrim, they struck for their third goal when Kevin Cooney finished off a flowing passing movement with a fine strike.
The game became even more loose after that as both sides picked off scores from all angles, with Galway getting in for their fourth goal after 48 minutes when Tom Monaghan scored after a good turnover from Conor Cooney.
Substitute Liam Collins got Galway's fifth goal 14 minutes from time as they ran out easy winners and will now turn their attentions to Dublin next weekend.
Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearoid McInerney, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion (0-02), Daithi Burke, Fintan Burke; Joseph Cooney (0-02), Cathal Mannion; Ronan Glennon, Evan Niland (0-08, 0-03f, 0-02 '65), Conor Cooney (0-07); Kevin Cooney (1-02), Conor Whelan (2-00), Declan McLoughlin (0-04).
Subs: Tom Monaghan (1-02) for C Mannion (7), TJ Brennan (0-01) for F Burke (16), Adrian Tuohey (0-01) for D Burke (53), Liam Collins (1-00) for Whelan (53), Jamie Ryan for J Cooney (63).
Antrim: Tiernan Smyth; Paddy Burke (0-03), Gerard Walsh, Stephen Rooney; Conor Boyd, Niall O’Connor, Ryan McGarry; Keelan Molloy (0-01), Conal Cunning (1-03, 1-00pen, 0-02f); Eoin O’Neill (0-01), Niall McKenna (0-01), Domhnall Nugent (0-01); Enda Og McGarry (0-01), James McNaughton (0-05, 0-02f, 0-01 ’65) Conor Johnston (0-03).
Subs: Joe Maskey (0-01) for Nugent (50), Daniel McKiernan (0-02) for Cunning (50), Scott Walsh for Molloy (53), Arron Bradley for O’Neill (55-58, blood), Caolan McKiernan for Burke (64).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
