Galway marked their debut in the Leinster SHC with a resounding win over 13-man Laois at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Goals from Joe Canning and Niall Healy sent Galway towards a 2-11 0-07 half-time lead.
Laois talisman James Young and Kevin Hayes were red-carded following a fracas, and Laois lost another man before the break when Michael McEvoy picked up a second yellow card.
Healy netted twice after the interval to complete his hat-trick and Damien Hayes also notched a goal.
Laois actually got off to a good start, but they failed to make use of the possession they had in the opening ten minutes.
But by the time the quarter hour mark had been passed the O'Moore men were 2-04 to 0-01 in arrears after Healy and Canning had tested the quality of the Laois net with powerful finishes.
It went from bad to worse for the Midlanders when dead ball specialist Young was dismissed for his involvement in a melee that came about as the result of a wild pull by the former All Star nominee. Galway's Kevin Hayes also walked for his reaction to the incident.
McEvoy was not far behind them as he stupidly earned himself a second yellow card for a foul on Galway's Adrian Cullinane.
The game was over as a contest and Galway manager John McInytre of taking Joe Canning off early to ensure the Portumna ace did not pick up an injury.
Brian Campion and Willie Hyland, who ended with 0-06 to his name, did their best to keep the scoreline respectable, but the pair were fighting a losing battle.
They now have only the qualifiers to look forward to, which they may have to play without the influential Young.
Galway march on, and all but Kilkenny will be looking to avoid the Connacht men when the open draw for the Leinster semi-finals is made.
Galway: C Callanan; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, F Moore; E Lynch, J Lee, A Cullinane; K Hynes (0-04), A Smyth (0-1); A Callanan (0-03), K Hayes, C Donnellan (0-03); D Hayes (1-03), J Canning (1-10, 6f), N Healy (3-05, 1 f, 1 '65).
Subs: D McClearn for Kavanagh (h/t); B Costelloe for Lee (45); D Tierney for D Hayes (55); M Ryan for Moore (58); J Gantley for J Canning (59).
Laois: T Doran; J A Delaney, D Maher, B Stapleton; M Whelan, B Campion (0-05, 3f), M McEvoy; J Young (0-04, 4f), James Walsh; D Peacock, W Hyland (0-06, 3f), O Holohan (0-02); J Purcell, J Rowney, E Jackman.
Subs: S Dwyer for Peacock (h/t); K Fitzpatrick for Stapleton (45); R Young for Purcell (52); C Delaney for Rowney (65).
