Match Reports

All-Ireland Senior Club Semi-Final: Portumna 2-18 Dunloy 0-12

Portumna are once again back in Croke Park on St Patricks day after seeing off Dunloy in Parnell Park last Sunday. They have kept their three in a row dreams intact and have set up a final date meeting with Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Dunloy opened the scoring after the throw in with a good point from Paddy Richmond. That was the one and only time that Dunloy were to get ahead when Damien Hayes opened the scoring for Portumna, Portumna settled well to the task ahead. Joe Canning scored three unanswered points the third of which was a 21 yard free when he was taken down needless to say Joe went for goal but it was brillantly tipped over the bar by the Dunloy goalkeeper McGhee.

Kevin Hayes was next to get on scoreboard with a well taken point and minutes later the Dunloy goalkeeper brought offf a brillant save from Damien Hayes tipping the ball over the bar. Peter Smith scored a excellent point from his half back position.

The goalkeeper however had no chance from Ciarán Ryan when he took his goal well kicking it into the net. The quick thinking of Joe Canning hand passed a pin point ball to Ciarán and all the Dunloy goalie could do was watch.

Dunloy had to work much harder for their scores while Chunky was putting them over at his ease. Portumna were 100-1 on shots before the match and went in at the break eight points ahead.

Joe Canning was the games top scorer with 1-8 coming from the dead ball which earned him the man of the match. Dunloy best spell was after the start of the second half when they scored four unanswered points but the free taking of Joe Canning settled Portumna's nerves and with Andy Smith hitting over three glorious points Portumna were heading for Croke Park.

The game was well and truly over when Joe Canning stood over a 21 yard and crashed it to the net. Ciarán Ryan completed the scoring with a point in the last few minutes of the game.

The full back line of Aidan, Ollie and Mac were solid all through the game. Ivan had little to do in goals but dealt well with anything that came his way. The half back line of Garret, Micheal and Peter kept the Dunloy forwards at bay. Leo and Eoin never stopped running at center field with Leo throwing himself at every tackle. The forwards were outstanding with five of the six forwards getting on the score board.

Final Score: Portumna 2-18 Dunloy 0-12

Team: Ivan Canning, Aidan O Donnell, Eugene McEntee, Ollie Canning, Gareth Haegney, Micheal Ryan, Peter Smith, Leo Smith, Eoin Lynch, Andrew Smith, Kevin Hayes, Ciarán Ryan, Damien Hayes, Joe Canning, Martin Dolphin.
Scorers: Joe Canning 1-8 (1-8f), Ciarán Ryan 1-1, Andrew Smith, Kevin Hayes 0-3 each, Damien Hayes 0-2, Peter Smith 0-1.