Laois find fresh focus

Laois 1-15 Galway 0-10

Little wonder, then, that Justin McNulty was a happy man at the final whistle.

“Given where we were last week, I think the players showed tremendous character to bounce back with that performance,” enthused McNulty. “I’m delighted with the players, they had to dig deep inside themselves to come out and deliver and to execute, and they did that successfully. The players were hurting, knowing they hadn’t done themselves justice, and they did take a long, hard look at themselves during the week. They came out and gave a performance and I’d have to be happy with that. I think the scoreline at half-time probably flattered them but I think the second-half scoreline flattered us because Galway had opportunities in the second half that they weren’t very clinical with, and we had chances in the first half we weren’t very clinical with. But on the whole, I think we were the better team and deserved that victory.”

That final summation by McNulty was accurate and if the margin at the end slightly flattered Laois, you couldn’t question the merit of their success.

A Gary Walsh goal after just 35 seconds sent them on their way to a victory that eased their relegation fears but also strengthened their promotion hopes in such a tight division.

With Galway deploying an old-fashioned six-man defence, Laois were able to produce some of their best football of the season in space they would be unaccustomed to. They should have been further ahead than 1-7 to 0-6 at half time. Wonderfully converted frees by Walsh and Michael John Tierney maintained their comfortable margin, with a largely disappointing Galway reliant on Paul Conroy’s free-taking to keep in touch.

Conroy wasted four good opportunities as Laois began to sit back on their lead in the final quarter. Not even the 60th minute dismissal of Cahir Healy for a second yellow card offence really threatened a turnaround although, had Danny Cummins’ 66th minute shot found the net rather than the crossbar, the closing minutes might have been a bit more nervous for the hosts.

Scorers for Laois: G Walsh 1-4(0-3fs); R Munnelly, MJ Tierney(fs) 0-4 each; P Clancy, D Kingston, D O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: P Conroy 0-4(3fs); M Martin 0-3(fs); G Sice, N Coleman, M Meehan(f) 0-1 each.

LAOIS: E Culliton; C Healy, D Booth, K Lillis; D Strong, J O’Loughlin, P McMahon; B Quigley, C Boyle; R Munnelly, B Sheehan, C Begley; MJ Tierney, P Clancy, G Walsh.

Subs: C Tierney for Sheehan (19-29); D Kingston for Clancy (43); Meredith for Sheehan (50); M Timmons for Lillis (57); D O’Connor for Munnelly (66); K Meaney for Strong (69).

GALWAY: M Breathnach; J Duane, F Hanley, G Sweeney; G Bradshaw, G O’Donnell, G Sice; N Coleman, A Griffin; M Boyle, P Conroy, S Denvir; E Concannon, M Meehan, M Martin.

Subs: F Ó Curraoin for Griffin (42); S Armstrong for Concannon (44); C Doherty for Denvir (47); D Cummins for Martin (53); K Kelly for Bradshaw (57).

Referee: C Lane (Cork).