Galway class shines through

Laois 1-14 Galway 3-20

Galway were pushed all the way by a resilient Laois side but the Tribesmen's greater class told in tonight's qualifier clash at O'Moore Park today.

Eugene Cloonan, Damien Hayes and Iarla Tannian scored 2-14 between them as Ger Loughnane chalked up his first championship win with the westerners.

Laois goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney landed two long range frees before Niall Healy (seven minutes) and Hayes (10) found the midlanders' net.

Four unanswered points from goalscorer James Young had Laois leading by 1-10 to 2-6 at half-time. But Cloonan helped Galway go back in front in the 49th minute and they never looked back.

GALWAY: C Callanan; D Joyce, D Cloonan, D Collins (capt); D Hardiman, J Lee, G Mahon (0-2); E Lynch (0-1), D Tierney; A Kerins (0-2), D Forde, I Tannian (0-3); N Healy (1-0), E Cloonan (0-10, 0-6f), D Hayes (2-1).

Subs used: R Murray for Lynch (half-time), K Broderick (0-1) for Healy (43 mins), K Wade for Cloonan (67).

LAOIS: P Mullaney (0-2, 0-2f); C Fitzpatrick, C Healy, C Dunne; Joe Phelan, M Whelan, M McEvoy; J Fitzpatrick (capt) (0-3), S Dollard; J Brophy, J Young (1-8, 1-7f), JJ McHugh; T Fitzgerald (0-1), W Hyland, P Russell.

Subs used: D McGill for Fitzpatrick (19 mins), B McEvoy for Phelan (48), D Bergin for Russell (62), C Delaney for Hyland (67), B Fitzgerald for McGill (68).

Referee: Dominic Connolly (Kilkenny).