Mighty men of Portumna are on the march again

By NOEL CARNEY Portumna ............................................5-22 Craughwell ...........................................0-9 KILKENNY-ESQUE! That's the best way to describe the power and majesty of Portumna as they hammered out a message to the rest of the contenders for the Salthill Hotel Senior Hurling Championship title at a sunny Kenny Park, Athenry last Sunday and left a distraught Craughwell trailing in their wake. Yet this easy victory does not guarantee that the Tom Callanan Cup is destined for the border club as Craughwell's display was unbelievably poor considering the progress made by the club in recent years. Ironically, they are now managed by Jimmy Heverin who was at the helm when Portumna stormed to All-Ireland Club Championship glory in 2008 and he must have bittersweet feelings about the club after this. Having to line out without experienced midfielder Hugh Whiriskey due to an ankle injury and hamstring victim John Greaney hampered Craughwell's challenge but Portumna were without key defender Eugene McEntee and the difference a couple of players could have made in this match would have been minimal such was the gulf in class between the teams. The winners have been building up a head of steam this year and on Sunday's form they look poised to make a real push for the crown they seemed to own a few years ago. With Ollie Canning still showing his trademark defensive instincts, Eoin Lynch and Andy Smith lording it in the centre of the field, Joe Canning in imperious form in attack and Damien Hayes buzzing like a young player who was getting his first chance and wanted to cement his place in the team they were simply awesome. Craughwell on the other hand lasted the pace for about five minutes before Portumna began to pull away. At that stage the Healy brothers Niall (free) and Fergal with a lovely effort from play were answering scores from Leo Smith and a rejuvenated Davy Canning. Niall landed another free and also got one from play in the first half but that 0-4 tally was swamped by the massive 2-12 they had conceded. All six Portumna forwards had scored by the break as had one midfielder, Eoin Lynch. The other one, Andy Smith, hadn't but his brother Leo had scored from his wing-back position. Also among the scorers during that period was rising star Ronan O'Meara. The youngster, who was playing under-16 hurling last year, took his goal with aplomb after Damien Hayes did the spadework and later showed great persistence in winning back a ball he had lost against two opponents. O'Meara's goal at the end of the first quarter made it 1-6 to 0-3 and the feeling then, even at that early stage, was that it was over as a contest. When Joe Canning powered his way through for a second 'major' shortly after, it certainly was over. Craughwell were 14 points adrift at the change of ends and needed something special when play resumed. Instead, they were facing a Canning penalty within seconds of the throw-in and he blasted it with stunning power and accuracy. The billowing net showed us what happened as the speed of the eye could not follow the flight of the ball. The agony was increasing for the hapless losers: Davy Canning sent over a point and then we saw the artistry of his brother Joe at his magical best as he controlled a dropping ball with his hurley and doubled on the sliotar to place it in front of Damien Hayes who darted forward, caught it deftly and his flashing drive yielded goal No. 4. Niall Healy and to a lesser extent his brother Fergal and full-forward Alan Callanan were gamely battling away to stop the torrent while Galway panelist Jamie Ryan between the posts kept the score from being even worse and once Damien Hayes pulled on the ball and sent it speeding to the net for a 5-15 to 0-4 lead following a great build-up involving young Ronan O'Meara and Niall Hayes â€â€ this year's team captain â€â€ the goal avalanche stopped. You got the feeling that Portumna could have widened the margin more than they did â€â€ points that might have been goals were taken â€â€ and by the end Craughwell were glad to hear the final whistle. It will be interesting to see how the winners perform next time. Their support play, passing, teamwork and scoring were out of the top drawer but they will not get it as easy again. We will not know their true worth until stiffer challenges are met. But they are on the march again! Portumna: J. Keane; G. Heagney, O. Canning, P. Smith; C. O'Hare, M. Ryan, L. Smith (0-1); E. Lynch (0-2), A. Smith; D. Hayes (2-4), N. Hayes (0-3), K. Hayes (0-3); R. O'Meara (1-1), J. Canning (2-4, 1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees, two 65s), D. Canning (0-4). Subs: R. Royston for Heagney, O. Treacy for D. Canning, D. Canning for K. Hayes. Craughwell: J. Ryan; S. Dolan, A. Cullinane, G. O'Halloran; D. Ryan, I. Daniels, J. Ryan; K. Cullinane, M. Coughlan; D. Rooney, C. Greaney, M. Horan; A. Callanan (0-1), N. Healy (0-7, four frees), F. Healy (0-1). Subs: M. Monaghan for J. Ryan, N. Callanan for Coughlan, J. Greaney for D. Rooney. Referee: Paschal Sheehan. Herald Sport Man of the Match: Damien Hayes (Portumna).