Galway manager Micheál Donoghue was delighted with the grit shown by his players after what he felt was a surprising red card for Daithí Burke in their victory over Offaly.
The visitors were 2-14 to 1-09 up at half-time in Tullamore but were reduced to 14 men for the second period - Burke dismissed by referee James Owens after sparking a pre-interval schemozzle when he broke a hurl across Brian Duignan's shoulder.
However, the Tribesmen almost doubled their advantage despite being a man down, eventually easing to a 2-25 to 1-14 win and their first points in this year's Leinster SHC round-robin.
"We had to regroup at half-time," Donoghue told RTÉ Sport. "Just before we came out, we were told it [the red card was coming].
"That gave us a minute to reset and refocus, in terms of a structure. We were surprised but right now we just need to review it and take it from there.
"I thought the lads were really good in the second half. When you're down to 14 playing any team it’s hard, your backs are to the wall. But I thought the lads’ work-rate and their endeavour for each other shone through."
Donoghue's selector Aidan Harte was also shown a red card before the resumption while the manager picked up a second yellow during the second half, albeit he had no quibble with that.
"The first one was remonstrating with Daithí's red card and the second one I had stood out on the pitch," said Donoghue.
"In fairness to Colm [Lyons, sideline official], he told me a few times to step back. So it probably was coming."
Galway are now back on track after an underwhelming first-day outing in Kilkenny, with fixtures in Salthill against Wexford (10 May) and Antrim to follow before a concluding trip to Donoghue's former side Dublin.
"We were disappointed with our performance last week," said the 2017 All-Ireland-winning manager, who is back in charge for a second spell.
"It's a quick turnaround. The lads really took ownership of it after the last game and everything that we brought in training was reflected in the game.
"I thought we had a good start, used the ball well, took some great scores. That gave us the foundation.
"We're only as strong as the weakest link. We made three changes from the last day and I think everyone that came in made a massive contribution.
"That win will give us a lot of confidence. We know we have two huge games coming up now at home. We look forward to going home and will hopefully have decent support as well."
