GALWAY...3-22 LAOIS...1-8: Galway cruised into phase two of the Allianz Hurling league after thrashing Laois at Pearse Stadium yesterday.

While Galway impressed with their application and execution, they were undoubtedly aided by the defensive fragility of a Laois side that never settled and were well beaten at the end.

The westerners quickly exposed a feeble Laois cover and low ball into the speedy Damien Hayes paid rich dividends. Moreover, Hayes was on target with some fine points and, crucially, set up Tony O'Regan for Galway's first goal. More was to follow as Galway went into cruise control. Goals from Eugene Cloonan and Alan Kerins allied to a flurry of points from all angles left Galway leading by 3-15 to 0-2 at the break.

While the game as a contest was virtually over at half time, one would have expected Laois to rally in the second period. Sadly, the midlanders failed to respond and the fact that their first point from play came on 28 minutes, courtesy of Michael McEvoy, best illustrates the scoring malaise. Their other second-half scores, including a goal, came from James Young frees.

The final moments saw Galway pile on the agony with late points from the impressive Eugene Cloonan, leaving them the easiest of winners.

GALWAY: L Donoghue, D Joyce, D Cloonan, O Canning, D Hardiman, D Hayes, F Moore, F Healy (0-1), T Og Regan (1-2), M Kerins, D Forde (0-3), R Gantley (0-1), D Hayes (0-4), E Cloonan (1-9, four frees one 65), A Kerins (1-1), Subs: S Kavanagh for F Moore. D O'Brien for F Healy, A Cullinane (0-1) for D Forde, P Dullaghan for L Donoghue, D Collins for D Hardiman.

LAOIS: K Galvin, L Mahon, P Cuddy, C Cuddy, J Fitzpatrick, P Cuddy, M McEvoy (0-1), J Young (1-7 frees), J Walsh, J Dunne, R Jones, S Dwyer, T Fitzgerald, L Tynan, D Culleton. Subs: P Drennan for J Fitzpatrick, P Mahon for R Jones, E Jackman for S Dwyer, E Maher for J Walsh.

Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny)