Champions off to winning start

Galway 5-18 Offaly 2-12

DEBUTANT Brian Concannon (inset) hit two goals for Galway as the All-ireland champions finally shook off an impressive Offaly in Tullamore. Joseph Cooney and Conor Whelan also goaled for the Tribesmen, who claimed the two points on offer in the new round robin format of the Leinster hurling Championship. Offaly were excellent in the first-half but were unable to add the scores their enterprising play deserved, while Galway were ruthless after the break and pulled away easily to win with Jason Flynn hitting the fifth goal in added-time. Nine first-half wides was a poor