Laois devastated by Galway onslaught

Date Published: 18-Mar-2008

NOT entirely a waste of time, but not far from it. On a day of utter humiliation for Laois hurling, Galway showed what they are capable of when ruthlessly exploiting the kind of luxuries — space, loose marking and third division opposition — that they won’t be experiencing in the championship, even if Sunday’s rout won’t have done the squad’s confidence levels any harm.

In one of the most one-sided encounters in the history of the National League, Galway simply went to town from the throw-in as they handed out a hurling lesson to an outclassed and woefully inept Laois outfit which had surprisingly turned over Midlands rivals, Offaly, at the same O’Moore Park venue just a week previously.

That result, ironically, partially contributed to this demoralising trouncing as a forewarned Galway were obviously in no mood for taking chances. They hit the ground running at Portlaoise and while their hosts were poor in the extreme and waved the white flag with disappointing haste, Ger Loughnane’s men certainly went about the business in a devastating manner.

Barely four minutes had elapsed and Galway were already six points clear. The signs were immediately ominous for a floundering home team which, apart from edging out Offaly, had also managed encouraging periods of first half prominence in away fixtures against both Limerick and Clare — but Sunday’s ……..