Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

GALWAY 3-31 LAOIS 1-11

By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium

Cathal Mannion’s 1-5 haul ensured Galway cruised to an emphatic Allianz Hurling League Division 1B success over Laois in Salthill.

There was never any sign of a surprise in Salthill as Galway delivered a polished first half display quickly seizing the initiative.

Following a disappointing loss to Wexford Galway were primed for this game reeling off nine points without reply in the opening six minutes.

The statistics were scary for Laois initially as all Galway’s forwards had scored by that stage and when the interval rolled around the Tribesmen led by 15 points.

Youngster Thomas Monaghan buzzed about craving involvement clipping three points before the break, while Paul Flaherty, Conor Cooney and Mannion were also prominent.

Mannion’s brother, Padraic, also got in on the scoring act for a dominant Galway, who were content to be 0-20 to 0-5 in front at the turnaround.

In the 43rd minute Ahascragh-Fohenagh’s Cathal Mannion netted a blistering 43rd minute goal with Laois under increasing pressure.

Eamonn Kelly’s team did grab a major in the 57th minute when Stephen Bergin goaled, but Galway summoned an instant response.

Substitute Joe Canning converted a penalty and another replacement Conor Whelan added a third goal for Galway, who closed out the deal with the minimum of fuss.

Scorers for Galway: Cathal Mannion 1-5, Jason Flynn 0-6 (4fs, 165), Paul Flaherty 0-5, Joe Canning 1-2 (1-0 pen), Conor Cooney and Thomas Monaghan 0-3 each, Conor Whelan 1-0, Joseph Cooney, Johnny Coen, David Burke, Daithi Burke, Paul Killeen, Aidan Harte, Padraic Mannion 0-1 each.

Scorers for Laois: Ross King 0-5 (3fs, 165), Stephen Bergin 1-0, Ben Conroy, Patrick Purcell, Neil Foyle, Cian Taylor, Aidan Corby, Aaron Dunphy 0-1 each.

GALWAY: James Skehill; Paul Killeen, John Hanbury, Padraic Mannion; Aidan Harte, Daithi Burke, Sean Loftus; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Cathal Mannion, Joseph Cooney, Paul Flaherty; Thomas Monaghan, Jason Flynn, Conor Cooney.

Subs: Joe Canning for Joseph Cooney (43), Eanna Burke for Paul Killeen (50), Conor Whelan for Conor Cooney (53), Greg Lally for Padraic Mannion (55), Matthew Keating for Thomas Monaghan (66).

LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Cahir Healy, Leigh Bergin, Dwane Palmer; Sean Downey, Patrick Purcell, Ryan Mullaney; Ben Conroy, Cian Taylor; Eanna Lyons, Aidan Corby, Paddy Whelan; Ross King, Neil Foyle, Willie Dunphy.

Subs: Aaron Dunphy for Eanna Lyons (30), Stephen Bergin for Willie Dunphy (51), Jack Kelly for Ryan Mullaney (62), Eric Killeen for Aidan Corby (66), Liam O'Connell for Dwayne Palmer (70).

**REFEREE: **Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).