SPEED: Aongus Callanan of Galway outpaces Laois defender Kieran Fitzpatrick in the quarter-final of the Leinster senior hurling championship in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Galway 5-29
Laois 0-17
Maybe history was made as Galway hurlers played Laois in their first game ever in the Leinster senior hurling championship at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday last, but if this game will be remembered, it is for many of the wrong reasons.

Galway's opening game in the Leinster championship only fattened the coffers of the Leinster council and did absolutely nothing for the hurlers of Galway or Laois.

The game has cost Galway as they now face into a Leinster semi final without influential centre forward Kevin 'Chunky' Hayes who received a straight red card after getting involved with James Young after he unceremoniously took out Hayes' Portumna colleague Andy Smith. Young and Hayes both received straight reds and minutes later Laois also lost Michael McEvoy with a second yellow card that reduced his side to 13 players for the second half. Galway won in a canter and Laois received a 27-point hammering.

The most promising aspect of this game was the outstanding combination and display in addition to the scoring powers of the Galway full forward line of Damien Hayes, Joe Canning and Niall Healy. Between them they scored 5-18: Healy bagged a hat trick of goals and five points; Hayes chipped in for another goal and three minors; and Joe Canning grabbed 1-10. However while they will no doubt prove to be a nightmare for any defence in Leinster of otherwise, this trio are unlikely to see so much possession come their way in any game for the remainder of the championship.

The game was over as a contest early and with just a quarter of an hour played Galway led by 2-4 to 0-1 with Joe Canning and Niall Healy having found the net. It took 11 minutes before Owen Holohan had the opening point for the home side. By the half hour three players were gone and at half time Galway had led by 2-11 to 0-7.

In all of the goals, the full forward line combined between them and the third goal just six minutes into the second half was a beauty. Joe Canning set up his Portumna colleague Damien Hayes, and left Healy with oceans of space to finish to the net. After Canning added a point, Aongus Callanan produced a strong run to set up Hayes for his own goal moments later. Healy added his hat trick and Galway looked to be heading towards scoring their 30th points when Offaly referee Brian Gavin decided enough was enough and blew the final whistle.

Most of the crowd in the attendance of just fewer than 2,000 people were from Galway and in the end of the day all this match did was enhance the accounts of Leinster council. Galway started the game without the services of the injured Ollie Canning and Shane Kavanagh took over the captain's role for the day. John Lee showed his lack of match practice and needs to significantly improve in the coming weeks but he is a player of immense talent and will come good. Kevin Hynes added four quality points to his game and was a shining light on his return to form after injury. There will be tougher days ahead in the Leinster championship.

Galway: C Callanan; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, F Moore; A Cullinane, J Lee, E Lynch; K Hynes (0-4), A Smith (0-1); A Callanan (0-3), K Hayes, C Donnellan (0-3); D Hayes (1-3), J Canning (1-10, 0-6frs), N Healy (3-5, 0-1fr, 0-1,'65).

Subs: D McClearn for Kavanagh (half-time), B Costello for Lee (45 mins), D Tierney for D Hayes (55 mins), M Ryan for Lee (57 mins), J Gantley for Canning (58 mins).

Laois: T Doran; D Maher, J A Delaney, B Stapleton; M Whelan, B Campion (0-5, 0-3frs), M McEvoy; J Young (0-4frs), J Walsh; D Peacock, W Hyland (0-6, 0-3frs), O Holohan (0-2); J Purcell, J Rowney, E Jackman.

Subs: S Dwyer for Peacock (half time), K Fitzpatrick for Stapleton (46 mins), R Young for Purcell (54 mins), C Delaney for Rowney (65 mins).

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).

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