Cormac Haslam the saviour for Galway minors

Galway 3-10 Laois 0-12: “Not near good enough to win a semi-final against Donegal,” was how Galway minor manager Stephen Joyce assessed his side’s performance after Saturday’s victory over Laois in O’Connor Park.

Goalkeeper Cormac Haslam was singled out for praise by Joyce, and understandably so, after he made a serious of spectacular saves, including one from a late Diarmuid Whelan penalty.

Laois had the greater share of goal opportunities but spurned chance after chance, while Robert Finnerty, Evan Murphy, and Ryan Forde all found the net for Galway.

Despite coming away a distinct second best in the midfield battle, Galway led by 2-6 to 0-2 at half-time after playing with the breeze, and victory was secured when Finnerty picked out Forde for a third goal after 45 minutes.

Laois battled gamely and scored the last six points, but their profligacy and Haslam’s goalkeeping put paid to their chances.

Scorers for Galway:

E Murphy, R Finnerty (0-1f) 1-3 each, D Conneely 0-4, R Forde 1-0.

Scorers for Laois:

D Whelan 0-7f, A Deering 0-2, F Crowley, J Kelly & L Davis 0-1 each.

GALWAY:

C Haslam; E Deeley, S Mulkerrin, F Garvey; A Quirke, E McDonagh, L Kenny; R Murphy, S Raftery; F Ó’ Laoi, E Murphy, R Forde; R Cunningham, D Conneely, R Finnerty.

Subs:

J Maher for Cunningham (35), S Thornton for Kenny (41), L Boyle for Deeley (53), M Kerrigan for Murphy (56), J Gavin for Ó Laoi (59)

LAOIS:

R McGrath; D Bennett, J Kelly, R Hitchcock; S Bolger, S Byrne, J O’Connor; R Tyrell, M Connolly; F Crowley, A Deering, C Comerford; A Kinsella, J Kavanagh, D Whelan.

Subs:

D Phelan for McGrath (24 – bc), J Kelly for Kinsella (ht), D Feane for Bolger (43 – bc), L Davis for Comerford (43), E Lowry for Kavanagh (43).

Referee:

James Bermingham (Cork).