Galway began life in Allianz Football League Division Two with a noteworthy 1-15 to 1-11 win away to Derry on Sunday.
A year on from relegation from the top tier, Alan Mulholland’s side overcame a tricky start at Celtic Park to seize the initiative and claim two important points. Gareth Bradshaw’s goal was key in their ascendency.
Initially it had been John Brennan’s injury-hampered Ulstermen who made the better start. They went 1-3 to 0-3 clear after Cailean O'Boyle ran onto Paddy Bradley's long punt forward and fired the ball to the back of the Galway net.
However, rather than push on from there they found themselves overcome in the second half of the opening 35 minutes. In this period, Galway outscored them by 1-5 to 0-1, with Michael Martin impressing.
More important than anything was the move that brought the goal from Bradshaw. He was involved in some great interplay with team-mates Paul Conroy and Gary O'Donnell, before breaking free and jinking his way around Derry goalkeeper Danny Devlin for an open goal.
Galway led 1-8 to 1-4 at half-time, with the second half seeing both sides score 0-7.
Derry did get very close, however, O’Boyle contributing well and Devlin doing a ‘Stephen Cluxton’ by pointing a ’45.
However, Galway’s cool-headed forward Nicky Joyce tagged on several late scores to see the Connacht side home.