By Pat Delaney
GALWAY 4-24 LAOIS 2-17 (aet)
FIVE years ago Ger Farragher hit a goal and eleven points in the championship to inflict defeat upon Laois at Portlaoise.
On Sunday last the Castlegar man was back in Laois and he more than anybody else denied Laois a morale boosting victory over Galway in the Walsh Cup semi-final.
Last year the visitors made their debut in the competition at Freshford, less than 20 miles from Rathdowney, against the All-Ireland champions and forced them into extra-time but left empty handed as they did in the championship at Tullamore in the summer.
Nine months ago Galway marked their Leinster championship debut with a 27 point win over Laois. On Sunday Galway started just six of that side while the home team fielded no less than ten of their championship team.
There was one surprise in the Galway line up when Portumna’s Niall Hayes played in attack. He was made available because of a suspension picked up in the Galway county final which rules him out of next month’s All-Ireland semifinal meeting with the Antrim champions, Dunloy.
Laois had a victory over GMIT under their belt and began in impressive fashion, taking the lead with a point from Willie Hyland after just a minute. Niall Cahalan equalised but the home team took complete control and led 0-6 to 03 at the end of the quarter. Points from Willie Hyland, John Brophy and Brian Campion delighted the home following.
Two minutes into the second quarter Eoin Costelloe set up John Rowney for a well taken goal but fi ve minutes later the full forward missed an easy chance to double his account after he slipped his marker and headed for goal and with only the keeper to beat somehow lost possession and the defence cleared to safety.
When the visitors were reduced to 14 players Laois were in the driving seat and at the interval led 1-11 to 0-7 and looking comfortable. Willie Hyland was in devastating form and just before the break a great move was completed when John Brophy placed John Rowney for his side’s 11th point.
John McIntyre, the visiting manager, had angry words for his charges at the break and they came out a transformed outfit and hit Laois for eight unanswered points to lead for the first time after 59 minutes.
Laois, despite numerical advantage, could do nothing right in the second half and the visitors appeared to have the extra man, their passing was exquisite and they were winning every puck out.
Laois eventually opened their account with a point from John Brophy after 62 minutes to level matters and substitute John Purcell regained the lead with a minute remaining.
With the tension rising, from the puck out Galway won a needlessly conceded close-in free that was converted by Ger Farragher and a minute later the referee signalled for extra-time.
It is worth pointing out at this stage that under the experimental rules the referee erred in blowing full time when he did. The new rule states that halftime and full time can only be blown when the ball has crossed the line (out of play). At the time Laois were attacking in their opponents half and Willie Hyland appeared to be fouled but instead the referee blew the final whistle.
Laois will want to forget the opening ten minutes of extra-time as Ger Farragher converted a penalty after two minutes and teenage sensation and last year’s winning minor captain Richie Cummins from the Gort club rammed home a brace of goals with full forward Joe Gantley adding a fourth.
The second period was pedestrian but Laois never gave up and a late goal by Willie Hyland from a free narrowed the gap but the visitors coasted into next week’s semi-final with neighbours Offaly.