Hurling is back and TG4 kicked off the action in a goal-fest of a game, although most scores were coming from the one side.
Westmeath 1-16 5-34 Galway
It was goals galore at Cusack Park as a missile-seeking Galway side showed no mercy in front of goal, finding the back of the net on five occasions in a rampant attacking display.
Captain Conor Whelan got the first goal early in the first half, when the Westmeath goalkeeper ventured too far out and their luck didn’t get better from there.
One bright light for Westmeath was Ciaran Doyle’s sublime skills and handful of scores, including one sensational volley that made you stand up and take notice, but two more goals from Jarlath Mannion and Niall Burke meant that the half finished Westmeath 0-10 Galway 3-18.
Galway picked up where they left off in the second half with Brian Concannon getting their fourth goal. Westmeath did manage to pull one back when Niall Mitchell blocked down goalkeeper Eanna Murphy, and popped the ball into an empty net.
It proved to be little consolation however as Conor Cooney sealed it with Galway’s fifth and the flurry of scores continued to rack up as they went on to eventually win by 30 points.
Galway face All-Ireland champions Limerick next Saturday, while Westmeath will attempt to right their wrongs against Waterford.
Full time score: Westmeath 1-16 5-34 Galway
