Galway the shining lights at floodlit Wexford Park

Galway outclassed Wexford in the second-half on the way to landing both the opening round NHL Division 1A points and also the Walsh Cup following Saturday's floodlight showdown at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Outside of a glut of wides, the home-side had appeared in fine fettle despite the sides tying on 0-10 apiece at half-time.

But Galway supremo Henry Shefflin sprung Brian Concannon to devastating effect for the second-half, and despite a brace of outstanding saves from Wexford 'keeper Mark Fanning in the early stages, the Tribesmen outstripped the hosts by 0-13 to 0-5 in the closing period on the way to a runaway victory.

Events pre-match took a worrying turn when a small fire to the rear of the covered Stand – leading to the evacuation of punters onto the pitch – brought a fifteen minute delay to throw-in.

The protagonists each fielded league debutantes at number five – Conor Foley (Wexford) and Eoin Lawless (Galway) - while Galway were shorn of the Cooneys – captain Joseph, Kevin and John – owing to the sad passing of their grandmother.

Wexford were hindered by poor finishing at the start – accounting for six of the first eight wides – while Damien Reck drew first blood from a free 100 yards out in the fifth minute, before Donal O’Shea snapped back on seven minutes.

The home-side appeared to be sorting their radar when dashing ahead by 0-5 to 0-2 after twelve minutes as Conor McDonald (free), Mikie Dwyer and Charlie McGuckin (two) delighted their supporters.

Kevin Foley was nudged out in a cracking goaling chance before Galway, having pegged it back to 0-6 to 0-4 through Conor Whelan and Evan Niland (free), earned a dubious penalty for an apparent holding offence on Niland.

But Wexford ‘keeper Mark Fanning distinguished himself