Gort prove their mettle again in explosive finish to county final

THERE was a collective gasp of ‘uh oh, we’re in trouble’ from the Gort contingent at Kenny Park on Sunday when Portumna drew level with a goal three minutes from full time. The sense of impending doom was palpable.

Gort, who had done most of the hurling up to that point, had surrendered the momentum. Portumna, like true champions, had recovered and looked like they’d power on to retain their crown.

Gort players were momentarily warped by shivers down their spines; a sinking feeling of dread – ‘have we let this slip? – when Kevin ‘Chunky’ Hayes bagged the Portumna goal. The fear was only fleeting.

At that stage, with the winning post in sight, you’d have put your house on the experienced heads of Portumna to guide them home, grind it out. Instead, it was Gort who finished strongest. The South Galway men’s response was instant. And it was decisive.

Substitute Wayne Walsh’s crucial scrappy goal immediately from the next puck-out killed all momentum and impetus Hayes’ goal had given Portumna. Gort were back in the driving seat; there was no stopping them now. A second goal minutes later sealed the deal. Albert Mullins hooked full-back Conor O’Hare, whose clearance only went as far as Gerard Quinn. The dead-ball specialist fed it back to the unmarked Mullins who found the net. The score board read 2-13 to 1-10. Game over.

It was a rip-roaring end to a surprisingly entertaining encounter, given the time of year and heavy underfoot conditions. It was fitting that the insurance score stemmed from persistence and hard work, because it was those characteristics that carried Gort over the line.

Dogged work-rate was a feature throughout. Remember early on, a quick turn of pace from full-forward Richie Cummins, kept the ball from going wide over the end-line. From the next play, captain Greg Lally scored an inspirational point to put Gort 4-3 up midway through the first half. It was easier for Cummins to let it go but Gort are different animals this year, defined by perseverance, teamwork and a strong work ethic.

It was the same for two of their next four scores – Jason Grealish hooked Ollie Canning in the lead-up to a converted free from Gerard Quinn; and Gerard O’Donoghue hooked Gareth Heagney, which again led to a free that was converted by Quinn.

That left it double scores, 0-8 to 0-4. Both sides scored a point apiece before half-time and though Gort would have been pleased to be leading by four, it should have been more.

It just took too long for Portumna to get into a rhythm; they weren’t allowed the space to play.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.