Galway 6.26 Laois 0.08

Ger Farragher was simply sublime for the visitors as Galway romped to a 36-point victory over Laois at Portlaoise this afternoon. Galway were hugely impressive with Farragher hitting 2-11 as his side claimed their second win in Allianz NHL Division 1B. Ger Loughnane's charges led 4-13 to 0-04 at the interval thanks to a hat-trick of goals from Niall Healy, with James Young keeping the hosts in touch. Farragher failed to let up in the second half, hitting goals in the 38th and 61st minutes, allowing Galway to canter home. An intense training session would certainly have been more use to Loughnane's men than this dismal affair at O'Moore Park. Putting it bluntly, the hosts were certainly a pale shadow of the side which impressed against their neighbours Offaly last Sunday. Galway did not even need to hit top gear but still romped to a high-scoring win. Castlegar clubman Ger Farragher is normally noted for his free-taking abilities but he hit just seven points from placed balls in a game which saw the Tribesmen bag some excellent scores from play. The corner-forward was not the only player to make an impressive contribution in the Galway attack. Niall Healy had his work done for the day by half time, having bagged a hat-trick and he was replaced by Cathal Dervan for the second half. Two of Healy's goals came within a minute of each other as the visitors moved 2-01 to 0-01 ahead after just four minutes. This early head start showed Galway's intent and despite the best efforts of the likes of James Young and Niall Holmes for the hosts, Galway were decisively clear at the break, leading by 4-13 to 0-04. Iarlaith Tannian was on hand to nab Galway's fourth goal in the 30th-minute, and Adrian Cullinane rounded off the half with a superb point. Laois' woes were further compounded following the loss of goalkeeper Paddy Mullaney through injury. Galway piled on the pressure in the second half and never let up with Farragher continuing to impress, while Fergal Healy gave an excellent display at centre-forward and he tallied up five impressive second half points. It was a game which Galway never looked like losing and now following this impressive win, the men from the west can look forward with confidence to a clash with Limerick next weekend.

Laois: P Mullaney; J A Delaney, B Campion, C Dunne; J Phelan, M Whelan, C Coonan; J Fitzpatrick, J Rowney; J Young (0-06, 0-03f), E Holohan, Z Keenan (0-01); S Norton, W Hyland, N Holmes (0-01).

Subs: J Walsh for Coonan (28 mins), J Dooley for Rowney (31), T Doran for Mullaney (32), D McGill for Norton (43), Bermingham for Campion (55).

Galway: J Skehill; C Dervan, T Óg Regan, F Moore; S Kavanagh, J Lee, G Mahon; K Hynes, R Murray (0-02); A Callanan (0-02), F Healy (0-06), A Cullinane (0-03); G Farragher (2-11, 0-06f, 0-01 '65'), I Tannian (1-02), N Healy (3-00).

Subs: C Dervan for N Healy (half-time), F Coone for Hynes (43 mins), D Joyce for Kavanagh (46), K Burke for Callanan (63).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).