GALWAY secured their first win of the national hurling league when stand-in full-forward Richie Murray blasted home two goals to send them on their way at Pearse Stadium. Conor Hayes' men never had to extend themselves to overcome a woeful Laois side who slumped to their third defeat of the campaign.

Galway did not manage a single goal in their opening games against Antrim and Limerick, but struck two inside a minute before halftime to wrap up this tame encounter.

A crowd of less than 250 people bothered to turn up for a game that was played in driving wind and rain. Galway, who saw centre-forward Eugene Cloonan cry off before the game with flu, led by 0-3 to 0-1 approaching halftime when Murray blasted home his first goal after being set up by the hard-working David Tierney. Less than 60 seconds later Murray turned provider for Ger Farragher to rattle the net and kill off any hopes of a Laois victory.

Those goals helped Galway to a 2-4 to 0-2 lead and with their defence on top, there was no way back for Laois.

Galway sealed the issue on the resumption when Fergal Healy, Murray and Farragher tacked on three points without reply. Midfielder James Young, who scored all but a point of his side's total, pointed a free, but David Tierney responded with his third point from play.

Galway would have secured a bagful of goals were it not for some superb goalkeeping from Laois captain Patrick Mullaney. He deprived Tierney twice and also produced superb saves to keep out efforts from Farragher and Murray.

But he could do little to deprive Murray his second goal five minutes from time following an excellent buildup. David Forde carved through the Laois defence for Murray to fire home his second goal.

"We needed the victory after losing our first two games, " said Galway boss Conor Hayes. "It was difficult to hurl in the conditions but I was pleased with our workrate. It was a good step up from the earlier games.

But we will need to improve heading to play Tipperary in Thurles the next day."

GALWAY L Donoghue, D Joyce, T Og Regan, G Mahon, D Hardiman, C Dervan (0-1, 65), D Collins, F Healy (0-1), S Kavanagh, K Brady, D Tierney (0-3), N Healy, G Farragher (1-6, 3f), R Murray (2-1), D Donoghue. Subs C Coen for N Healy, 21 mins; D Hayes for Kavanagh, h-t; 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, MMcEvoy, K O'Keeffe, J Young (0-4, 3f), 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)