The Treaty men looked heavy-legged in comparison to their lively opponents, who put in a devastating display in the second quarter to blast their opponents out of the league.

Conor Cooney's 15th minute penalty signalled the end of Limerick's dominance as the Tribesmen ruled from there to the break with some excellent hurling and hard hitting tackling.

Cathal Mannion had a point to his name before many punters had taken their seats after the anthems and Padraig Brehony followed suit in the second minute to give Galway a 0-2 to 0-0 advantage.

But Limerick hit back with an impressive six minutes as James Ryan, Kevin Downes, Conor Allis and Shane Dowling all hit points as the home side hit five without reply.

And on the quarter hour mark it was Niall Healy who was hauled down for a penalty which Cooney finished off for a 1-3 to 0-5 advantage.

Cooney and Dowling continued their dead-ball shootout, before Jonathan Glynn's point from an acute angle opened out a thee point lead for Galway in the 21st minute.

And they finished the half the stronger of the teams as a brilliant David Burke point from the touchline was added to by a fine Cooney free from the opposite side, the Tribesmen took a 1-8 to 0-8 lead into the interval.

Points from Cooney, Niall Burke and Glynn saw Galway continue where they left off in the second-half, and after Graeme Mulcahy's brief interlude, Galway kicked on again to win easily.

Joe Canning was a 53rd minute substitute as Anthony Cunningham worked his bench, but Limerick were second best by a long distance, and James Ryan's late goal couldn't disguise that.

Scorers – Galway: C Cooney 1-9 (1-0 pen, 5f, 4'65), J Glynn 0-2, David Burke 0-3, P Brehony 0-2, C Mannion, N Healy, N Burke, D Hayes 0-1 each

Limerick: J Ryan 1-3, S Dowling 0-3 (2f, 1'65), K Downes 0-3, C Allis, G Mulcahy, A Dempsey 0-1

Galway: C Callanan; F Moore, R Burke, Daithí Burke; A Harte I Tannian, D Collins; J Coen, P Brehony; N Burke, C Cooney, David Burke; J Glynn, N Healy, C Mannion.

Subs: J Canning for N Burke (53), J Flynn for Mannion (58), K Hynes for Harte (62), D Hayes for David Burke (62), G McInerney for Healy (66),

Limerick: N Quaid; C King, P O'Loughlin, T Condon; P O'Brien, W McNamara, G O'Mahony; D O'Grady, P Browne; K Downes, J Ryan, D reidy; G Mulcahy, S Dowling, C Allis.

Subs: A Dempsey for Browne (55), M Carmody for King (62), W Hickey for Reidy (65).

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).