Allianz Football League Division One

GALWAY 0-17 MONAGHAN 1-10

By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium

Since 2011 Galway waited and wondered about how the Tribesmen would fare in Division One? It is a question Kevin Walsh’s charges have answered with commendable calm this spring.

Five victories in a row have been carved out, an emerging team are not only surviving, but thriving at the highest level.

Transition is one of the latest buzz words in sport and the way Galway move the ball smartly following turnovers is a chief reason why they are motoring so smoothly.

Walsh has found a nice blend of willing workers to supplement the speed which exists in this evolving collection of western footballers.

Galway commenced brightly before Monaghan seized the initiative midway through an interesting period in which the visitors were admirably efficient.

Malachy O’Rourke’s outfit were clinical converting chances kicking 0-7 from nine attempts, while Galway mustered 0-5 from 13.

Those statistics highlighted Monaghan’s clever shot selection as Galway were frustrated following a lively start.

There was much to admire in the manner Galway broke at speed, especially in the first quarter with Paul Conroy and Damien Comer kicking sweet points.

A splendid Johnny Heaney effort in the 23rd minute edged the locals 0-5 to 0-3 in front, but Monaghan summoned a hearty response.

Conor McManus (2), Jack McCarron, and Kieran Hughes all drilled points for Monaghan, who were satisfied to depart ahead at the interval.

Monaghan did suffer a blow on the cusp of half-time when Fintan Kelly saw red for retaliation and the issue was delicately poised.

With Comer a potent threat Galway dictated the third quarter reeling off six scores without reply inside a neat 16 minute spell.

Comer, Shane Walsh, Barry McHugh (2), Eamonn Brannigan, and substitute Adrian Varley all mined points for the maroon team.

That industrious burst had Galway four clear before McManus narrowed the gap with a free as Monaghan eventually registered a second half score.

Galway ploughed on defiantly contributing four of the next five points with Varley, Heaney, and Conroy all prominent. In additional time Kieran Hughes plundered a goal for Monaghan, but sufficient Galwegian damage had been inflicted.

Scorers for Galway: Barry McHugh 0-5 (5fs), Damien Comer 0-3, Adrian Varley, Paul Conroy, and Johnny Heaney 0-2 each, Eamonn Brannigan, Shane Walsh, and Sean Armstrong (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Monaghan: Kieran Hughes 1-3, Conor McManus 0-4 (3fs), Jack McCarron 0-2 (1f), Rory Beggan 0-1 (45).

GALWAY: Ruairi Lavelle; Declan Kyne, Sean Andy O’Ceallaigh, Eoghan Kerin; Gary O’Donnell, Gareth Bradshaw, Cathal Sweeney; Ciaran Duggan, Paul Conroy; Johnny Heaney, Shane Walsh, Eamonn Brannigan; Patrick Sweeney, Damien Comer, Barry McHugh.

Subs: Sean Armstrong for Patrick Sweeney (9), Peter Cooke for Duggan (48), Adrian Varley for Walsh (49), Sean Kelly for O’Donnell (55), Tom Flynn for Heaney (69), Frankie Burke for McHugh (70).

MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Conor Boyle, Kieran Duffy; Karl O’Connell, Paraic McGuirk, Vinny Corey; Niall Kearns, Kieran Hughes; Ryan McAnespie, Neil McAdam, Fintan Kelly; Jack McCarron, Conor McManus, Micheal Bannigan.

Subs: Conor McCarthy for McManus (12-17, blood), Dessie Ward for Bannigan (HT), Drew Wylie for McGuirk (43), Darren Hughes for McAdam (46), Conor McCarthy for McCarron (50), Owen Duffy for Corey (59).

REFEREE: Barry Cassidy (Derry).