Leinster U20HC: Galway canter home

Donal O'Shea was in fine scoring form for Galway.

Galway 4-21

Laois 0-7

Galway cruised to a 26-point victory over Laois in this evening's Leinster U20HC quarter-final clash at MW Hire O'Moore Park.

Jeffrey Lynskey's side dominated from the get go, and a goal by the impressive Donal O'Shea after 12 minutes set them up for a 1-11 to 0-4 lead at the break.

CÚLLLLLLL 🔥

Donal O'Shea hits it low into the back of the @CLGLaois goal 💪💯@Galway_GAA @gaaleinster @BordGaisEnergy #GAABEO #HurlingToTheCore pic.twitter.com/M2rblhoiTI

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 11, 2020

O'Shea, son of former Tipperary hurler and manager Eamon, opened the scoring and finished top with 2-7, 1-5 of which came in the first half.

The hosts struggled to contain a side that boasted All-Ireland minor medallists in every position, although they improved somewhat after the first water break when they trailed 1-5 to 0-1.

But another O'Shea goal from the penalty spot within ten minutes of the restart all but ended the game as a contest.

URCHAR!!!!

Donal O'Shea with goal no 2 💪🏑@Galway_GAA @BordGaisEnergy @gaaleinster @GAA_BEO #GAABEO #HurlingToTheCore pic.twitter.com/SzajYKXwVQ

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 11, 2020

The Tribesmen applied further gloss to the scoreboard with midfielder Alex Connaire (1-2) adding a third major before Mark Kennedy pounced on the rebound of O'Shea's second penalty which was superbly saved by Laois goalkeeper Cathal Dunne.

They will face a sterner test in seven days' time when they return to Portlaoise to take on Kilkenny.

Galway - D Fahy; O Salmon, TJ Brennan, J O’Donoghue (0-1); D Kilcommins (0-2), A Brett, D Shaughnessy; A Connaire (1-2), I McGlynn (0-1); C Walsh (0-2), S Neary (0-1), A Prendergast (0-1); D O’Shea (2-7, 1-0pen, 0-6f, 0-1'65), J Fleming (0-1), O Flannery. Subs: S McDonagh (0-2, 1sl) for O Flannery, C Flaherty for A Brett, M Kennedy (1-0) for C Walsh, C Killeen (0-1) for J Fleming.

Laois - C Dunne; D Brennan, E Parlon, A Gaughan; F Mahony, C Burke, P Dunne; J Maher, J Phelan (0-1); C Byrne, D Delaney (0-4f), T Fitzpatrick; J Duggan, M Hennessy, T Keyes (0-1). Subs: I Shanahan for A Gaughan, F Holland (0-1) for T Keyes, C Conroy for T Fitzpatrick, C Rigney for J Duggan, E O’Connor for F Holland.

Referee - T Gleeson.