Match Reports

Galway SHC: Portumna 2-16 Sarsfields 1-09

Duggan Park, Ballinasloe was the venue for this eagerly awaited Group clash between Portumna and their latter day tormentors Sarsfields, a side they had failed to beat in Championship hurling. This despite they holding commanding and what looked like winning leads in previous vital encounters. But you could never write off the Cooneys and McGraths and unfortunately for Sarsfields they didn't possess such saviours of yesteryear to steal victory from certain defeat.
Before this game began before a disappointing crowd in Ballinasloe, there was a minutes silence for former Portumna and Galway minor Lenny Burke, who died suddenly in London during the week and Mrs. Bridget Clasby, mother of Pauline Carty who died in Kilcolgan.
With a late change of referee, Sean Moran replacing Eoin Shaughnessy, there was little hope of any open play despite the space afforded by Duggan Park and so it proved. Within thirty seconds of the throw-in Joe Canning was fouled out on the left wing and pointed the free himself to establish an early lead. This was quickly followed by two more from play, Niall Hayes finishing from an Andrew Smith delivery and Leo Smith with the next effort from the left wing also. It could have been more but Martin Dolphin’s shot dropped short to Fergal Hynes in the Sarsfields goal. Martin was a replacement at corner-forward for David Canning who sustained an injured hand in the Kiltormer game. Sarsfields were given their first opportunity shorty afterwards and Kerril Wade went for goal. Ivan Canning pulled off a brave save but injured himself in the process. He was replaced by Joe Keane as a blood sub before returning to the goalkeeping position.
Kerril Wade, who had an uncharacteristic day off as regards accuracy was wide with what for him should have been easy chance and Martin Dolphin pointed from play to open his Senior Championship account and Joe Canning brought the score to 0-5 to 0-0 with a fifty metre free after Leo Smith was fouled. Portumna had been dominating the game until now, with Ollie Canning and Eoin Lynch particularily dominant, Leo Smith and Ciaran Ryan ruling midfield and the forwards in their usual free-flowing mode. Niall Hayes was working very hard but for some reason, referee Moran was making life extremely frustrating for him. He did, however, manage a cute pass to brother Damien for Portumna's sixth point and when Damien was grounded on his way to goal, Joe Canning did the necessary to extend Portumna’s lead to 0-7 to 0-1 after 22 minutes.
An outstanding Ollie Canning came bursting from the backline and found Damien Hayes with a pinpoint pass for a point before Niall Quinn had Sarsfields only score from play on the day. They needed more but again Kerril Wade was wide from an easy free and Niall Hayes pointed the final score of the first half when Ciaran Ryan’s double on a high ball bound for the sideline at centrefield found him alone and the teams retired to the dressingrooms on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-2 in Portumna’s favour. They could indeed have had a goal or two as they exposed Sarsfields rearguard but a pass too many on a few occasions meant the opportunity was lost.
Sarsfields badly needed to get a good start to the second half but instead Leo Smith had a point from far out and Martin Dolphin made a fine catch, was fouled and again Joe Canning was on the mark. Sarsfields now came more into the game and had the next two points from Kerril Wade frees. Damien Hayes cancelled one almost immediately and Niall the other when he latched on to a Martin Dolphin pass. Sarsfields were thrown a lifeline when Kerril Wade made some amends for previous misses with a goal from just off centre at the twenty metre line but the Sarsfields cheers had barely died down when Andrew Smith tore in from the left touchline and fired past Fergal Hynes. The score now read 1-14 to 1-5. Kevin Hayes, another whom Sean Moran had difficulties with on the day, was narrowly wide from far out but Damien Hayes had another point from play before Kerril Wade had a brace from frees but missed a third and Joe Canning had one from a free for Portumna.
Ivan Canning brought off a brilliant save from a close range Sarsfields effort before Wade again pointed and had a wide before Damien Hayes finished to the net to finally kill off the Sarsfields challenge. Kevin Hayes was yellow-carded and saw another ambitious attempt go wide before Kerril Wade had his and Sarsfelds final point from a free.
The final scoreline of 2-16 to 1-9 might have been different if Kerril Wade had been his more customary self but there is no doubting that this was a deserved win for Portumna. They are a formidable force at the back with Ivan Canning back to his confident self in goal. Mike Gill was faced by Kerril Wade and more than held his own. John O’Flaherty has slotted in as a natural full-back while Ollie Canning keeps proving himself the best corner-back in Galway if not Ireland. Aidan O’Donnell and Gareth Heagney closed down many attacks with first time catch and clear tactics while Leo Smith had an excellent running game despite carrying an injury all week and Ciaran Ryan is settling in well at midfield.
Up front, Portumna are as good a club forward line as any that went before them. Three Hayes give all they have every day and are clinical in the execution of their duties, Andrew Smith struck again yesterday for the killer goal when Sarsfields might have harboured hopes of a revival. On his debut yesterday, Martin Dolphin proved to have a great first touch and pace and fitted in well. He is always a potent threat and is the final potent threat in the Portumna sextet. Joe Canning delivered his six points unerringly and also some great passes to his fellow forwards.
Four points from two games, Portumna sit top of their group with Carnmore and Turloughmore playing out a further draw at the weekend.

Final Score: Portumna 2-16 Sarsfields 1-09

Team: Ivan Canning, Mike Gill, John O'Flaherty, Ollie Canning, Gareth Heagney, Eoin Lynch, Aidan O'Donnell, Leo Smith, Ciaran Ryan, Andrew Smith, Kevin Hayes, Niall Hayes, Damien Hayes, Joe Canning, Martin Dolphin. Blood Sub Joe Keane for Ivan Canning.
Scorers: Damien Hayes 1-5, Joe Canning 0-6, Andrew Smith 1-0, Niall Hayes and Leo Smith 0-2 and Martin Dolphin 0-1.