Galway 3-12 Laois 0-5: Galway secured their first win of the National Hurling League in front of barely 250 supporters at a wet and windy Pearse Stadium on Saturday.

The indifference on the terraces was mirrored on the field where Galway condemned a poor Laois side to their third defeat of the campaign.

"It is good to get back to winning ways," said Galway manager Conor Hayes. "Conditions were very difficult and it was hard for both sides to hurl out there.

"But I was happy with the way we worked. We did not have that work rate against Antrim and Limerick, but the effort was there in this one and it produced a win," he added.

Galway, forced to line out without flu victim Eugene Cloonan, tried Richie Murray at full forward and he contributed 2-1 of the winners' tally.

He got his first goal after 23 minutes when set up by the impressive David Tierney, and Ger Farragher added another goal within 60 seconds, when Murray turned provider, to help Galway lead 2-4 to 0-2 at the break.

Enda Meagher was the only Laois forward to score throughout, midfielder James Young accounting for 0-4 (three from frees) of their tally.

Goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney could do little to prevent Murray getting his second goal five minutes from time.

GALWAY: L Donoghue; D Joyce, T Óg Regan, G Mahon (0-1, 65); D Hardiman, C Dervan, D Collins; F Healy (0-1), S Kavanagh; K Brady, D Tierney (0-3), N Healy; G Farragher (1-6, 0-3 frees), R Murray (2-1), D Donoghue. Subs: C Coen for N Healy inj (21 mins), D Hayes for Kavanagh inj (half-time), D Forde for Collins (58 mins), MJ Quinn for Mahon (62 mins), M Coughlan for Tierney (62 mins).

LAOIS: P Mullaney; B Campion, Pakie Cuddy, O Bergin; J Hyland, Paul Cuddy, M McEvoy; K O'Keeffe, J Young (0-4, three frees); E Meagher (0-1), J Rowney, C Brophy; S Lowry, M Rooney, D Carter. Subs: C Healy for Rowney (27 mins), J Fitzpatrick for Lowry (43 mins), P Russell for Brophy (47 mins).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).