Galway 1-23

Wexford 0-20

Joe Canning posted 0-13 (0-10 frees) and Aidan Harte scored the only goal as Galway put down an early-season marker by beating Wexford in today's Walsh Cup final at Bellefield.

Both teams finished with 13 players, with Galway playing the entire second half with that number after Padraic Mannion and Jarlath Mannion were dismissed following a late first half melee and a helmet infraction respectively. Wexford's Liam Ryan was also red-carded by referee Sean Cleere following the brawl, while Cathal Dunbar followed him to the line after picking up a second yellow card in dying moments.

Points from Ian Byrne and Matthew O'Hanlon gave the hosts an early 0-2 to 0-0 lead, but Galway were 0-6 to 0-4 ahead by the 19th minutes thanks to four Canning frees and a Cathal Mannion brace from play.

Galway's Padraic Mannion lifts the Walsh Cup. ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan.

Wexford 'keeper Mark Fanning made a brilliant save to deny Canning, but Galway didn't have to wait long for the game's only goal which was scored by corner back Harte in the 29th minute after Canning had set him up.

Jack Coyne followed up with a point to make it 1-8 to 0-6 before a trio points from David Dunne, Conor McDonald and Byrne narrowed the gap to two at half-time.

The Tribesmen regained a five-point lead, 1-16 to 0-14, in the third quarter thanks to scores from Sean Kilduff, Davy Glennon and Sean Bleahene. Davy Fitzgerald's charges remained in contention with points from McDonald and subs Harry Kehoe and Paudie Foley, but their hopes of victory were dealt a blow when Mark Fanning drove a 63rd minute penalty over after McDonald had been fouled. 

That missed goal chance proved costly as Galway closed out the game with late scores from Canning and Sean Linnane to secure their first Walsh Cup in four years.

Galway - F Flannery; J Grealish, R Burke, A Harte (1-0); K Hussey, P Mannion, J Mooney; C Mannion (0-4), S Kilduff (0-1); R O'Meara, J Canning (0-13, 10f), J Coyne (0-1); J Mannion, S Bleahene (0-1), D Glennon (0-1). Subs: J Coen for J Mooney, J Flynn for J Coyne, S Linnane (0-1) for S Kilduff, K Cooney for R O'Meara, S Bannon for S Linnane, T Haran (0-1) for S Bleahene.

Wexford - M Fanning (0-1pen); S Reck, L Ryan, C Firman; S Donohoe, M O'Hanlon (0-2), S Murphy; A Nolan, D O'Keeffe (0-1); I Byrne (0-5f), K Foley (0-1), D Dunne (0-2); C Dunbar (0-1), C McDonald (0-2), L Og McGovern. Subs: D Reck for C Firman, P Foley (0-2, 1f, 1'65) for S Reck, P Morris (0-2) for I Byrne, S Casey for L Og McGovern, R Higgins for A Nolan, H Kehoe (0-1) for D Dunne.

Referee - S Cleere.

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