Portumna 5-11
Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-16
Confirmation of Portumna’s greatness was certainly provided in last Sunday’s Semple Stadium All-Ireland club semi-final.
A goal-laden display from the Galway champions destroyed Kilkenny’s Ballyhale Shamrocks, and they are now installed as virtually unbackable favourites for All-Ireland honours. Already the bookiers have them at 1/7 to claim another All-Ireland, with De La Salle the 4/1 outsiders - one of the biggest prices in an All-Ireland club final.
Last weekend against Ballyhale Shamrocks Portumna found themselves in the peculiar position of being the competition’s holders, yet still underdogs, but they produced an astonishing display to dismantle the highly-regarded Kilkenny outfit.
There was so much to admire in Portumna’s energetic and efficient performance. At one end of the field Ollie Canning led by example, dealing with the majority of what Ballyhale could muster. In the other half younger sibling Joe struck 2-5, and showed commendable heart and honour in the closing stages as Portumna sealed the deal.
In between there were other significant contributions too. Gareth Heagney and Micheal Ryan were immense in the half-back line, particularly in the second half when Ballyhale were beginning to threaten. Leo and Andy Smith were purposeful throughout, while Damien Hayes’ industry and two goals were significant factors.
Inevitably manager Johnny Kelly was delighted, especially as Portumna rifled 2-2 without reply early on as Hayes and Canning bagged opportunistic majors.
“We concentrated for the last two or three weeks on getting a good start. It’s something that we haven’t been doing really in challenge games, and we focused completely on the first 10 or 15 minutes. I suppose everyone was contemplating a huge display, a good classic encounter, but we just focused on our own game, really,” Kelly said.
“We couldn’t worry too much about Ballyhale. I’d be telling lies if we said that we didn’t study them in depth and have a look at the way they play the game, but we know we have serious pace and we’ve got talented hurlers, so we’ll endeavour to make that pay again.”
Having made such a blistering start, Portumna were armed with a sizeable lead, and Ballyhale were given a drop of hope when Eoin Reid rattled an eighth minute goal. Demonstrating ice-cool composure Portumna responded, and by the time the interval arrived they led by six, 3-7 to 1-7 as Canning expertly flicked another goal.
After the restart the advantage was extended as Hayes and Ciaran Ryan raised further green flags to put Ballyhale under serious pressure. Then a flurry of Ballyhale points followed to put a semblance of respectability on the scoreboard, but Portumna were never in danger.
Kelly is already plotting ahead of the March 17 decider with Waterford side De La Salle, who enjoyed a narrow extra-time triumph over Cushendall. “We are not getting carried away. It’s an All-Ireland semi-final and we’ve another step to take to retain the title. It’s going to be difficult because these days don’t come around that often. Take it for what it is, an All-Ireland semi-final.
“We have players for different courses. We have certain guys, say the Smiths are outstanding men, they’re great work horses, the likes of Niall Hayes; and then we have clinical finishers. The work ethic is great. We aim to keep it up.”
Portumna: I Canning; M Dolphin, E McEntee, O Canning (capt. ); G Heagney, M Ryan, A Donnelly; E Lynch, L Smith (0-1 ); N Hayes (0-1 ), K Hayes (0-2 ), A Smith (0-1 ); D Hayes (2-1 ), J Canning (2-5, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 free, 0-1 sideline, 0-2 65s ), C Ryan (1-0 ) .
Ballyhale Shamrocks: J Connolly; P Shefflin, E Walsh, P Holden; M Dermody, A Cummins, B Aylward (capt. ); J Fitzpatrick, M Fennelly; C Fennelly (0-2 ), H Shefflin (0-10, seven frees, two 65s ), TJ Reid (0-1, lineball ) ; P Reid, E Reid (1-0 ), M Aylward (0-2 ). Subs : K Nolan for Dermody (half-time ), D Hoyne (0-1 ) for P Reid (37 mins ).
Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary ).
