Damien Hayes got a goal and a point yesterday to help Galway on their way to a positive start to their season as they beat Kilkenny by a score of 3-11 to 0-17.

Hayes got the third goal for Galway and it proved to be the score that separated the sides by the end. Hayes was pleased with the start to the inter-county year, commenting that it was “a vital game for everyone, so it’s great to get off the mark.”

Hayes was also pleased with the attendance at the match, with an unusually high attendance for an early season Galway hurling encounter making the trip to Salthill. “It’s great to see the crowd here…hopefully the crowd will stay following us and stay following this team.”