GAA round-up: New York ease past Galway's second string

Galway Development 1-16 New York 1-27

New York advanced to the Connacht Hurling League final after an 11-point victory over a Galway development side at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome.

In their second year in the competition – in 2023 they secured success in the Shield competition – the Exiles looked the better side for the majority of the contest to boost their aspirations of being part of the championship structure and with it a place in the Lory Meagher Cup in 2025.

The opening four points of the night in Bekan were shared, but once David Mangan put the Exiles into the lead for the first time in the eighth minute, they never looked back.

Cathal O'Hanlon was knocking over scores for Galway, but with Mangan unerring from placed balls for New York, and AJ Willis causing big problems in the Tribes defence, they were full value for their 0-15 to 0-08 interval lead.

The Tribes made the early running upon the resumption, reeling off four points on the bounce before former Clare footballer Cian O’Dea halted their momentum.

Willis – who finished with 1-04 - raised a green flag midway through the half to effectively end any hopes of a Galway victory, with Martin Cullen, Ger McPartland and Mangan keeping the umpires busy as Eamon Fitzgerald’s side ran out comfortable winners.

Dara Newill claimed the Galway goal as O’Hanlon finished with half a dozen points for the Tribesmen, who must be content with taking on Roscommon in Saturday’s Shield final, while New York march into the decider against Mayo.