Portumna hold too many aces in a low key tie

Date Published: {J}

Portumna 0-18

Clarinbridge 0-10

John McIntyre in Athenry

PORTUMNA have been persecuting Clarinbridge in the Galway senior hurling championship since the quarter-finals of 2002 and that trend continued at Kenny Park on Saturday evening when the reigning champions eventually carried the day with a fair deal to spare.

It has been all one-way traffic in terms of results between the clubs over the past decade and though Clarinbridge had their chances in that quarter-final eight years ago when defending title holders and at the same stage of the championship in 2008, they just cannot break Portumna’s dominance.

A lack of firepower up front was their Achilles heel in Athenry as it it undermined a determined effort which was most characterised by the defensive efforts of Brian Burke and Jamie Cannon, neither of when stood on ceremony when confronted by the raiding Hayes brothers, Damien and Niall, in the opening stages of a match which fell short of expectations.

For all that, Clarinbridge looked to have the title holders in some trouble when drawing level ten minutes into the second-half as Mark Kerins punished repeated fouling by Portumna. They had trailed by 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval having had the backing of the wind, but were now right back in the contest.

Unfortunately, the 2001 champions could only manage one more score – Mark Kerins’ injury time point from play – as Portumna raised the tempo in a manner which suggests that they are intent on achieving the four-in-a row with the indefatigable Niall Hayes typifying their eagerness.

The opening quarter exchanges were largely forgettable as both teams, especially Clarinbridge, were guilty of some wayward shooting. Pointed frees from Joe Canning and Mark Kerins were the only scores registered in that period, but it was clear Micheal Donoghue’s charges were up for the contest having lost their opening group match to Kinvara.

For more, read the Connacht Tribune.