Laois prove no match for Galway in Walsh Cup clash

Laois have been comfortably beaten by Henry Shefflin’s Galway side in today’s Walsh Cup contest in Duggan Park Ballinasloe.

Willie Maher’s competed well throughout but they were no match for Galway.

Galway 6-29

Laois 2-20

It was Laois’ Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher who raised the game’s first white flag as he point sailed between the posts after two minutes. Cody Comerford made it two points for Laois with a super score from The Harps forward. Galway’s first score of the game ended up in the back of the next as Alex Connaire blasted the ball beyond Enda Rowland in the Laois goal.

Gavin Lee pointed for Galway’s first point of game before Laois pointed two on the bounce to level the game. Aaron Dunphy and Jer Quinlan both putting the ball over the black spot. Donal O’Shea and Aaron Dunphy traded points as Galway then hit a purple patch which resulted in 1-4 without reply.

Connaire, Tom Monaghan and Jason Flynn (free) all raised white flags before Declan MacLaughlin scored a superb goal which ripped through the net leaving Rowland with no chance in the Laois goal. O’Shea pointed his second of the game from a free as Galway led 2-6 to 0-5.

Aaron Dunphy soon had his third point after a great run by Comerford gave him an easy task of tapping the ball over. Jason Fynn and Connaire replied for Henry Shefflin’s side.

Laois’ best spell of the game followed as they fired in a goal as well as pointing twice. Picky scored the goal after David Dooley had done well to beat his man. Dooley also pointed as did Picky with a free. Galway went on another scoring rampage with five points unanswered.

Padraic Mannion, John Cooney, Lee and two from Flynn saw Galway hold a healthy advantage. Picky pointed the half’s final score as Galway’s lead stood at 2-13 to 1-9.

Galway got things underway in the second half as substitute Evan Niland slotted over a free. Jer Quinlan replied for Willie Maher’s side before Galway showed their superiority yet again with another period of top-class scoring. Niland (free), Lee and Flynn all added to Galway’s lead before MacLoughlin turned Liam O’Connell on a six-pence before burying the ball past Rowland. Picky pointed another free for Laois while Tom Cuddy scored from play.

MacLoughlin made it a hat-trick of goals with another super finish. Niland took his tally to three points since his introduction with a 65’. Aaron Dunphy and Lee traded scores before Picky added another two points for Laois. Galway hit the front again with three points unanswered courtesy of Sean O’Hanlon, Niland (free) and Flynn (free).

Fiachra C Fennell scored a lovely point for Laois having received the ball from Picky while the Clough-Ballacolla forward raised another white flag from a free. Three more points followed for Galway as two scores from Niland and one from Flynn gave Galway a 19-point advantage. Laois substitute Tomas ‘Mossy’ Keyes opened his account before the Camross forward teed up Aaron Dunphy to get Laois’ second goal. Galway’s reply was instant as they too raised a green flag courtesy of Connaire as Flynn’s original effort was saved by Rowland.

Picky took his individual tally to 1-9 soon after with a free and one from play. Galway ended the game with 1-4 unanswered. Ian McGlynn and Niland both split the posts while Flynn rattled in a goal and two points to give The Tribesmen a comfortable 21-point victory.

Laois now have a three-week break before their first Division 2A game against Down in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Sunday, February 4.