Galway minor hurlers, playing their first championship game of 1997, had no trouble in disposing of Leinster runners-up Offaly in the All-Ireland quarter-final at Semple Stadium Thurles yesterday. The Galway men looked sharp and fresh from an early stage and they held a 1-8 to 0-1 lead at the interval, the goal coming from full forward David Huban three minutes from the break.
The story could have been a lot worse for Offaly had it not been for Stephen Ryan in goal who made some fine saves to keep Galway at bay.
Playing with the aid of a fresh breeze in the second half, Offaly came more into the game and trailed by just six points at the end of the third quarter.
However, Galway upped the tempo and goals from David Huban again in the 19th minute and Keith Daniels in the 22nd put the game beyond Offaly.
Galway: C Callanan; E McDonagh, D Cloonan, E Donoghue; J Cannon, S Morgan, A Walsh; N Lawlor (0-2), S Donoghue; G Keary (0-3), D Tierney (0-1), D Joyce; K Hayes (0-2), D Huban (2-1), G Hurney (0-2). Subs: K Daniels (1-1) for Joyce.
Offaly: S Ryan; B Troy, S Horan, D Franks; M O'Hara, P Molloy, J P O'Meara; E McGuinness (0-1), D Kelly (0-1); P Carroll (0-3), A Guinan, B Murphy; R McRedmond (0-4), D Carney (0-1), C Gath. Subs: E Finnerty for Gath; W Comerford for Troy; A Hayes for Murphy. Referee: M Wadding (Waterford)
