Kevin Walsh pleased as Galway ‘hit the ground running’

Derry 2-12 Galway 1-18

A highly impressive Galway side were much too slick for an under par Derry in a real promotion ‘four pointer’ at Celtic Park on Sunday.

The Tribesmen ran out three point winners but the final scoreboard, with Derry hitting two late consolation goals, certainly flattered the home side.

That Derry went in just three points down at the break was somewhat of a surprise, given their disappointing and flat-footed opening half.

The first half narrative saw the Oakleafers, lackluster and leaden-legged, toil as they advanced and whenever they did manage a laboured score, Galway would counter swiftly and directly and score with some ease.

Having trailed by a point early, Galway hit six in a row with six different players all raising the white flag. Only a much-needed late rally where the home side hit three of the last scores including Ryan Bell’s third from play, this time with the outside of the right, saved Oakleaf blushes.

If Derry were poor in the first half, with manager Damian Barton serving an eight week suspension and missing from the sidelines, they were worse in the second. Adrian Varley’s 38th minute goal handed Kevin Walsh’s side a 1-11 to 0-07 lead. The Tribesmen hit four of the next five scores to all but wrap the game up.

The Tribesmen attacked Derry from all sectors of the sun-kissed Celtic Park pitch, with rampaging half-back Johnny Heaney scoring four superb points from play. Eamon Brannigan and Eddie Hoare scored three points for Galway, with Enda Tierney weighing in with a brace.

Derry managed two late goals through Emmett McGuckin and Niall Loughlin but by that stage the game was a dead rubber.

The defeat leaves Derry travelling to Healy Park on Saturday night where anything but a win could see his side miss out of their key aim this year - a return to Division One football.

Galway now pull level with Derry on four points and manager Kevin Walsh flagged up his side’s bright start which laid the foundations of a comfortable victory.

“Obviously we came out and hit the ground running. This league is always going to be very competitive and it’s very pleasing to come up Derry who have been going well and get the win.”

Derry: Thomas Mallon, Ryan Ferris, Chrissy McKaigue, Karl McKaigue, Mark Craig, Gareth McKinless, Danny Heavron, Emmett Bradley (0-1), Brendan Rogers (0-1), Benny Heron, James Kielt (0-3 0-2f), Ciaran McFaul, Ryan Bell (0-6), Mark Lynch (0-1), Daniel McKinless.

Subs: Niall Loughlin for D McKinless (30), Niall Holly for R Ferris (HT), Sean Leo McGoldrick for B Heron (41), Shane Heavron (1-0) for C McFaul BC (44), Emmett McGuckin for D Heavron (50), Conor McAtamney for E Bradley (57)

Galway: Manus Breathnach, David Wynne, Declan Kyne, Eoghan Kerin, Liam Silke (0-1), Garry O'Donnell, Johnny Heaney (0-4), Shane Walsh (0-1f), Paul Conroy, Tomas Flynn, Eddie Hoare, Enda Tierney (0-2), Eamon Brannigan (0-3), Adrian Varley (1-1), Damien Comer (0-1).

Subs: Finian Hanley for D Wynne (10), Cathal Sweeney for J Heaney (61), Paul Mannion for E Brannigan (63), Sean Denvir for A Varley (70)

Referee: Ciarn Branagan (Down)