Galway 2-17
Laois 1-13
LEINSTER SHC CHAMPIONS Galway survived an O’Moore Park scare as Anthony Cunningham’s charges eventually shrugged off Laois’ spirited resistance.
Laois battled earnestly throughout, but Galway just about coped to book a place in the Croke Park provincial decider on 7 July. All hearty aggression early on Laois reeled off four points without reply in the opening seven minutes to trouble the Tribesmen.
With Cahir Healy operating as a sweeper the Galway forwards initially struggled to win primary possession as Laois were passionate. Stephen Maher, Matthew Whelan (free), Zane Keenan, and Willie Hyland all landed fine scores for Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s side.
Galway, though, replied with four points from Joe Canning, who nailed two delightful efforts from play and a brace of frees too. Maher and Canning traded frees before Laois edged three ahead with splendid points from Joe Fitzpatrick, Whelan, and Brian Dunne.
Galway were encountering bodies and bother trying to drill deliveries inside to Canning, who remained a significant threat. Damien Hayes was introduced to inject urgency into a Galway attack that was once again looking to Canning for inspiration. Points from David and Niall Burke ensured that only the minimum was between the teams at the break with Laois, narrowly in front by 0-8 to 0-7 roared into the dressing roam by a vocal crowd.
It was similarly tight after the restart, but Laois were struggling to seriously the Galway defence as Cunningham’s side improved.
Substitutes James Regan and Damien Hayes clipped scores as Galway with Canning still effective were 0-12 to 0-10 ahead by the 52nd minute. Laois maintained their diligent work ethic, though, and Galway were certainly restricted and hindered by the sheer determination of the locals.
Rain spilled from a grim grey sky and that scarcely aided a match that was far more about spirit than skill. But Laois then rattled the Galway net on 57 when replacement Neil Foyle put Tommy Fitzgerald away and he blasted past James Skehill.
Galway summoned an instant response as Davy Glennon tapped the rebound home following a Eoin Reilly save from Canning. Whelan and the impressive Zane Keenan had Laois only one behind, but an Aonghus Callanan shot squirmed over the line for the insurance Galway goal on 64.
Scorers for Galway: Joe Canning 0-11(8fs), Davy Glennon 1-0, Aonghus Callanan 1-0, David Burke 0-2, James Regan 0-2, Niall Burke 0-1, Damien Hayes 0-1.
Scorers for Laois: Tommy Fitzgerald 1-0, Matthew Whelan 0-5 (3fs), Zane Keenan 0-3, Stephen Maher 0-2 (1f), Willie Hyland 0-1, Joe Fitzpatrick 0-1, Brian Dunne 0-1.
GALWAY: James Skehill (Cappataggle); Fergal Moore (Turloughmore), Kevin Hynes (Sarsfields), Johnny Coen (Loughrea); Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields), Shane Kavanagh (Kinvara), Aidan Harte (Gort); Iarla Tannian (Ardrahan), Andy Smith (Portumna); David Burke (St Thomas), Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree), Cyril Donnellan (Padraig Pearses); David Glennon (Mullagh), Joe Canning (Portumna), Conor Cooney (St Thomas).
Subs: Damien Hayes (Portumna) for Donnellan (29 mins), James Regan (St Thomas) for Smith (36 mins), Aonghus Callanan (Liam Mellows) for N Burke (53 mins), Jason Grealish (Gort) for D Burke (67 mins).
LAOIS: Eoin Reilly (St Lazarian’s, Abbeyleix); Brian Stapleton (Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton), Darren Maher (Clough-Ballacolla), John A Delaney (Clough Ballacolla); Joe Fitzpatrick (Rathdowney-Errill), Matthew Whelan (Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton), Gearoid Burke (Camross); Cahir Healy (Portlaoise), James Walsh (Ballinakill); Stephen Maher (Clough Ballacolla), Zane Keenan (Camross), Tommy Fitzgerald (Portlaoise); John Brophy (The Harps), Willie Hyland (Clough Ballacolla), Brian Dunne (The Harps).
Subs: Conor Dunne (Harps) for Burke (47 mins), Neil Foyle (Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton) for Brophy (49 mins), Bill Duggan (Clough-Ballacolla) for Dunne (66 mins), PJ Scully (Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton) for Fitzgerald (68 mins).
Referee: James Owens (Wexford).
