Galway 1-22
Laois 0-23
GALWAY AND LAOIS served up some early summer drama in Portlaoise this afternoon with the Tribesmen just holding off the home side who led by six points at half-time.
It all looked so easy for Anthony Cunningham’s men in the early stages as they led by 1-3 to no score inside ten minutes thanks to a goal from Jonathan Glynn and points from Johnny Coen, David Burke and Padraig Brehony.
However, Chedder Plunkett’s men soon began to take advantage of the strong breeze at their backs in the first half and scored six points without reply to ensure the sides were level by 20 minutes.
Laois continued to dominate the closing stages of the half, scoring freely from play through the likes of Willie Hyland, Stephen Maher and Joe Campion to take a six point lead into the break; 0-16 to 1-7.
Galway increased the pressure on their hosts in the second period and Padraig Brehony reduced the gap to four points after seven minutes.
The Tribesmen kept coming however, despite Joe Canning having a 20m free blocked on the line, and were level when Niall Burke pointed from distance with 11 minutes left.
To their credit though, Laois dug deep again with Hyland restoring their lead before Canning drew the sides level once more with a point from 60m.
A mistake from Maher saw Galway grab their first lead of the second half with three minutes to go and Laois will regret two good chances missed in the closing stages before two quick points put three between the teams in injury time.
However, the drama wasn’t over as the home side pointed to reduce the lead to two before Laois were awarded a 21m free.
However, as Laois goalkeeper Eoin Reilly walked up to take it, he was fouled and you have to wonder what impact that had as his shot was stopped on the line and Galway survived.
Their reward will be a semi-final against the winners of Kilkenny and Offaly next weekend.
Scorers for Galway: Conor Cooney 0-7 (3f), Jonathan Glynn 1-0, Padraig Brehony 0-3, Niall Burke, Joe Canning and Jason Flynn 0-2 each, David Collins, Iarlaith Tannian, Johnny Coen, David Burke, Cathal Mannion and Paul Killeen 0-1 each.
Scorers for Laois: Willie Hyland, Tommy Fitzgerald and Neil Foyle 0-3 each, Stephen Maher 0-3 (3f), Cha Dwyer, 0-3 (1sl), Joe Fitzpatrick and Tom Delaney 0-2 each, Brian Stapleton, Joe Campion, James Walsh and Ross King 0-1 each.
GALWAY
1. Colm Callanan
2. Fergal Moore
3. Ronan Burke
4. David Collins
5. Aidan Harte
6. Iarlaith Tannian
7. Daithi Burke
8. Johnny Coen
9. Padraig Brehony
10. Niall Burke
11. Conor Cooney
12. David Burke
13. Cathal Mannion
14. Jonathan Glynn
15. Joe Canning
Subs: D Hayes for David Burke (48), J Flynn Mannion (51), P Killeen for Harte (64), D Glennon for Glynn (70).
LAOIS
1. Eoin Reilly
2. John A Delaney
3. Brian Campion
4. Brian Stapleton
5. Joe Fitzpatrick
6. Matthew Whelan
7. Tom Delaney
8. Joe Campion
9. James Walsh
10. Stephen Maher
11. Dwane Palmer
12. Cha Dwyer
13. Neil Foyle
14. Willie Hyland
15. Tommy Fitzgerald
Subs: J Purcell for Foyle (56), P Whelan for J Walsh (58), J Brophy for Fitzgerald (60), R King for Campion (63).
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork).
