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Galway's Michael Martin celebrates his early goal. Gerry McManus/INPHO
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Galway secure emphatic victory over London

Expectation was high for Paul Coggins’ side following their memorable 2013 exploits.

GALWAY 3-17

LONDON 0-07

THE ATTACKING TRIUMVIRATE of Shane Walsh, Michael Martin and Danny Cummins were on song in Ruislip on Sunday afternoon, as Galway kick-started their 2014 Connacht Championship campaign with a facile 19-point success against an overwhelmed London.

Expectation was high for Paul Coggins’ side following their memorable 2013 exploits, but with Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s Walsh leading their charge, the Tribesmen can look forward to their last-four encounter against Sligo with a degree of confidence.

With a total of six Galway natives lining out for the Exiles, there was much intrigue about this outing, but with Martin’s clinical third minute major (following excellent approach by Cummins and former Kildare star James Kavanagh) being supplemented by points from Walsh (two) and Cummins, as well as two of his own, the Tribes had developed an eight-point lead (1-5 to 0-8) with just ten minutes gone on the clock.

Despite playing with a strong breeze, London were struggling to make an impact on the game, and subsequent scores for Alan Mulholland’s charges from Martin, Walsh and the ever-threatening Cummins (0-2) further enhanced their superiority.

A brace of long-range frees by netminder Adrian Faherty (who was playing for the visitors when the sides last met in 2009) spared London the ignominy of failing to score in the opening period, but after Walsh and the aforementioned Faherty swapped scores upon the resumption, Galway effectively placed the tie beyond reach with a superb 40th minute left-footed Walsh three-pointer.

It was a case of damage limitation for London during the closing stages, but in spite of a 0-3 salvo by All-Star nominee Lorcan Mulvey, Galway remained in control, and a third goal from the excellent Cummins with the last kick of the game comfortably secured their place in this year’s semi-final.

Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 1-6 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘45’), Michael Martin (0-1f), Danny Cummins 1-3 each, Eddie Hoare 0-3, Michael Lundy, Adrian Varley 0-1 each.

Scorers for London: A Faherty (3f), L Mulvey (2f) 0-3 each, J Feeney 0-1.

GALWAY: Manus Breathnach (An Spideal); Donal O’Neill (Cortoon Shamrocks), Finian Hanley (Salthill/Knocknacarra), Johnny Duane (St James’); Gareth Bradshaw (Milltown), Gary O’Donnell (Tuam Stars), Paul Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks); Fiontan O’Curraoin (Michael Breathnach), Thomas Flynn (Athenry); Michael Lundy (Corofin), Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), James Kavanagh (Milltown); Michael Martin (Milltown), Eddie Hoare (St Michael’s), Danny Cummins (Claregalway).

Subs: Greg Higgins (Corofin) for O Curraoin (47), Adrian Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks) (0-1) for Martin (52), Damien Comer (Annaghdown) for Lundy (52), John O’Brien (Clifden) for Flynn (58), Cathal Mulryan (Cortoon Shamrocks) for Bradshaw (61), Eoin Concannon (St James’) for Hoare (68).

LONDON: Adrian Faherty (Neasden Gaels); Philip Butler (Tir Chonaill Gaels), Stephen Curran (St Kiernan’s), Donnacha McCarthy (Kingdom Kerry Gaels); Seamus Hannon (Fulham Irish), Tony Gaughan (Neasden Gaels), Michael Walsh (Fulham Irish); Mark Gottsche (Tir Chonaill Gaels), Martin Carroll (Parnells); Greg Crowley (Parnells), Damian Dunleavy (Neasden Gaels), Cathal O’Neill (Tir Chonaill Gaels); Eoin O’Neill (Tir Chonaill Gaels), Paul Geraghty (Neasden Gaels), Joe Feeney (Tir Chonaill Gaels).

Subs: Brian Collins (Tir Chonaill Gaels) for Gaughan (32-35, blood sub), Collins for McCarthy (half-time), Lorcan Mulvey (Fulham Irish) (0-3, 2f) for C O’Neill (half-time), Marcus Miskelly (Cuchulainns) for E O’Neill (47), Shane Mulligan for Carroll (62), Lloyd Colfer (Kingdom Kerry Gaels) for Feeney (63), Barry Mitchell (Tir Chonaill Gaels) for Walsh (67).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).

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