Flying start

By Cian O’Connell

BUOYED up by five wins in January Galway know that a demanding Pearse Stadium Allianz Football League Division 2 assignment looms against Tyrone at Pearse Stadium on Sunday afternoon (throw-in 2.00pm).
Galway followed an encouraging FBD Connacht League success by defeating Laois with the minimum of fuss at O’Moore Park. It was an impressive league start from Galway, who exploited Laois’ difficulties throughout the first half scoring 2-6 in the process.
That is when the damage was done as Adrian Varley and Damien Comer rattled opportunistic goals. At the opposite end a diligent Galway defence restricted Laois to a single opening period point. The statistics were favourable from a Galway perspective as Laois didn’t summon a shot from play until the 23rd minute.
Indeed, the fact that Laois only scored one from nine attempts before the interval highlighted the pressure Galway’s backs were putting on the shooters. After the restart Laois eventually narrowed the gap, but the deal had already been sealed as Galway were never seriously troubled.
Galway’s mission for the spring is to increase the depth of the panel so manager Kevin Walsh will welcome the chance to see how the youngsters fare when Tyrone come to Salthill.