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Welcome to Pearse Stadium for this afternoon’s Galway SHC final. A decent crowd is gathering at the Salthill venue. Can Portumna win a sixth title in 10 years? Loughrea, though, are a team with a nice mix of youth and experience so it promises to be a decent game.
In the Galway Minor Hurling Final Liam Mellows currently lead Turloughmore by 2-11 to 0-14.
It is windy in the west and the overnight rain means the underfoot conditions aren’t the best.
There is a bit of late drama in the Minor decider. Liam Mellows are currently 2-12 to 1-14 ahead deep into injury time.
Turloughmore have staged a late comeback to draw the minor decider with Liam Mellows, 1-15 to 2-12.
Good crowd here in Salthill for the latest collision between Portumna and Loughrea. The stakes are piled high.
One late change in personnel for Portumna with Michael Ryan replacing Owen Treacy. A few positional changes expected, though, when the teams line out.
Loughrea: Nigel Murray; Tom Regan, Damien McClearn, Eoin Mahony; Vinny Maher, Brian Mahony, Sean Sweeney; Emmet Mahony, Gavin Keary; Neil Keary, Johnny Coen, Paul Hoban; Johnny O’Loughlin, Johnny Maher, Jamie Ryan.
Portumna: Joe Keane; Michael Ryan, Eoin Lynch, Gareth Heagney; Martin Dolphin, Eugene McEntee, Conor O’Hare; Leo Smith, Damien Hayes; Kevin Hayes, Ollie Canning, Andy Smith; Ronan O’Meara, Joe Canning, Niall Hayes.
Referee: John Keane.
Eugene McEntee has gone to full back for Portumna, where he will mark Loughrea’s Johnny Maher. Martin Dolphin has started at centre back for Portumna.
Portumna 0-1 Loughrea 0-0: 3 mins - Joe Canning guides Portumna into the lead with a free from an acute angle.
Portumna 0-2 Loughrea 0-1: 6 mins - Johnny Coen replies with a score for Loughrea.
Coen’s pace at wing forward is causing some problems for Portumna in the early stages.
Portumna 1-2 Loughrea 0-1: 8 mins- Joe Canning blasts a 20 metre free through a cluster of Loughrea bodies for a Portumna goal.
Portumna 1-2 Loughrea 0-2: 13 mins – Loughrea have been surprisingly slow out of the blocks here, but Johnny O’Loughlin has just landed a fine point.
Portumna 1-2 Loughrea 0-2: 15 mins - It has been a quiet opening quarter at Pearse Stadium. Joe Canning’s goal currently is the difference.
Portumna 1-2 Loughrea 0-3: 17 mins – Slowly, but surely Loughrea are improving. Jamie Ryan has split the uprights with a delightful point on the turn.
Portumna 1-3 Loughrea 0-4: 18 mins – Neil Keary narrowed the gap with a point, but Leo Smith summons an instant response for Portumna.
Portumna 1-4 Loughrea 0-5: 20 mins – The pace is quickening at last. Joe Canning with a sweet score from distance for Portumna. Neil Keary replies for ‘The Town.
Portumna 2-4 Loughrea 0-6: 24 mins - Andy Smith has grabbed a brilliant goal for Portumna following a string of clever passes.
Portumna 2-4 Loughrea 0-7: 23 mins – Neil Keary converts a free for Loughrea immediately after Smith’s major.
Portumna 2-5 Loughrea 0-8: 27 mins - Paul Hoban scores for Loughrea, but Joe Canning then bursts through for a point.
Portumna 2-5 Loughrea 0-9: 28 mins- Johnny O’Loughlin fires over an opportunistic point for Loughrea, who are still battling away.
Portumna 2-5 Loughrea 0-11: 30 mins – Neil Keary scores his fifth point of the half for Loughrea.
The Loughrea team leave the dressing room before the game.
Pic: INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy
It has been a strange first half. Portumna have corrected a problem they have encountered in the knockout stages of the Galway SHC by scoring early goals, but they are still only level at the break. Loughrea have been resilient.
First half scorers for Portumna: Joe Canning 1-3 (1-1fs), Andy Smith 1-1, Leo Smith 0-1.
First half scorers for Loughrea: Neil Keary 0-5 (4fs), Johnny O’Loughlin 0-2, Johnny Coen 0-1, Paul Hoban 0-1, Jamie Ryan 0-1, Johnny Maher 0-1.
Portumna 2-6 Loughrea 0-11: 32 mins – Joe Canning puts Portumna ahead once more from a long distance free.
Portumna 2-7 Loughrea 0-11: 37 mins – Andy Smith brings his personal haul to 1-2 with an excellent point from under the stand.
Portumna 2-8 Loughrea 0-11: 37 mins – Ollie Canning flicks Portumna three in front. Loughrea struggling to craft chances in the second half so far.
Portumna 2-9 Loughrea 0-12: 40 mins - Joe Canning scores a free and Loughrea respond courtesy of Jamie Ryan. It was a goal chance for Loughrea, though.
Portumna 2-10 Loughrea 0-12: 45 mins - The influential Damien Hayes nudges Portumna four clear again entering the last quarter.
Portumna 3-10 Loughrea 0-12: 48 mins – Damien Hayes finishes off a sweeping move involving Niall Hayes and Kevin Hayes. Following the goal Hayes threw his hurley into the air in a moment of jubilation.
Portumna 3-11 Loughrea 0-13: 50 mins – Gavin Keary’s point for Loughrea cancelled out by Andy Smith, who has scored 1-3.
Portumna 3-12 Loughrea 0-13: 54 mins - Turning into the Andy Smith show here, the Galway star now has scored 1-4.
Portumna 3-12 Loughrea 0-14: 56 mins – Following a foul on Johnny Maher Johnny Coen’s resultant penalty goes over the par.
Loughrea’s Johnny Coen and Portumna’s Eoin Lynch
Pic: INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy
Disappointing second half for Loughrea, who only managed to register three points after the restart. Portumna hit 1-7 and that is why they claimed a sixth County title since 2003.
Scorers for Portumna: Joe Canning 1-5 (1-3fs), Andy Smith 1-4, Damien Hayes 1-1, Leo Smith 0-1, Ollie Canning 0-1.
Scorers for Loughrea: Neil Keary 0-5 (4fs), Jamie Ryan 0-2, Johnny O’Loughlin 0-2, Johnny Coen 0-2 (0-1 pen), Gavin Keary 0-1, Paul Hoban 0-1, Johnny Maher 0-1.
Irish qualified, just saying!
@Nicholas Ryan: curious as to how?
@Aidan Prior: never stopped Ireland before.
@Aidan Prior: His granny on his dad’s side I believe. Watch the Jude Bellingham documentary on Birmingham YouTube channel. Shows young Jude himself sporting a mid-00′s Rep. of Ireland jersey with Eircom sponsor… possibly Steve Staunton management era. That being said not a hope he will play for Ireland with Jude already playing for England.