University of Limerick laid down a marker to other contenders with a comprehensive win in DCU yesterday.

Goals from Eoin Fitzgerald, Mark Kerins and David Forde of Galway laid the foundations. Despite hard work from Shane Ryan, DCU could not prevent a 12-point deficit at half-time and they managed only two points in the second half.

UL: T Houlihan; S McDermott, B O'Dwyer, P Reale; S Mason, B Geary, C Ford; E Flannery, M Travers; D Forde (Clare) (0-4), D O'Connor, J Coogan (0-5); E Fitzgerald (2-0), M Kerins (2-2), D Forde (Galway) (1-4). Subs: J McElligott for M Travers, S Ryan for D Forde, (Galway), P Reilly for S Mason, E Dunne for E Flannery, J Barnes for E Fitzgerald.

DCU: C Breathnach; J Byrne, S Barron, A Ryan; C Herity, L McGrath, R Brennan; S Deegan (0-1), T O hAilpin; W Doran, S Ryan (0-2), J Gormley; T Quinn, F McMahon (0-3), A Kenny. Subs: W Doran for J Redmond, D Kelly for A Kenny, A Darcy for L McGrath.

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).