Portumna showed their old power in clash of the giants

By NOEL CARNEY Portumna .1-16 St. Thomasâ€â„¢s .2-11 AS expected, this Group A SHC clash was not for the faint-hearted as the reigning All-Ireland champions St Thomasâ€â„¢s and former â€Ëœgreatsâ€â„¢ Portumna went at it hammer and tongs in front of a large crowd at Kenny Park, Athenry last Sunday. In the end, a poor start cost the Saints dearly although they got into a good position late on before giving way. When Portumna surged into a 1-8 to 0-3 lead after twenty minutes it looked like it was curtains for the title-holders. Francis Canningâ€â„¢s Portumna charges were playing with the power and majesty of old as they turned back the clock. Their passing and combination play was sensational as they batted and scooped balls into each otherâ€â„¢s hands, as well as delivering them with pinpoint accuracy. A Damien Hayes goal after 90 seconds lit the fire and his team-mates responded in style, even though Anthony Kelly had already snatched the first score of the match in St Thomasâ€â„¢s opening attack. Portumna, clearly fired up and determined to win back the crown of top dogs in the county, swarmed all over the Peterswell-Castledaly-Kilchreest combination who seemed stuck to the ground and unable to get going. Enter Conor Cooney. The towering young centre-forward, who looks sure to play a starring role for the county, executed a wonderful pick and strike on the run before blasting a wonder goal from a difficult angle and suddenly it was St Thomasâ€â„¢s turn to shine.[private] A Richie Murray point quickly followed and even though Joe Canning won and converted a free, when Gerald Murray netted another superb goal it was very definitely â€Ëœgame onâ€â„¢ at 1-9 to 2-4. There was only one more score in that half, a point by Portumnaâ€â„¢s brilliant young prospect Ronan Oâ€â„¢Meara. He had also found the target earlier in the game. Damien Hayes also fired over twice to add to his goal; Kevin Hayes registered a brace of scores too, and with Joe Canning driving over from play and from two frees and Niall Hayes notching a solo effort they had 1-10 at the break. St. Thomasâ€â„¢s could only add three points to those great goals by Conor Cooney and Gerald Murray, and Anthony Kellyâ€â„¢s tenth-second score. Cooney himself got one of them; David Burke got another after running at the defence, and last yearâ€â„¢s All-Ireland Club Championship final hero Richie Murray completed their 2-4 midway tally. It was far from a free-flowing spectacle, more a game where frees flowed. Referee Peter Murphy, a former Galway player and a newcomer at this level of officiating, had a tough job on his hands with a few unsightly scuffles breaking out off the ball and the tackling was over-zealous to put it mildly, but overall he did well in a challenging assignment. In fairness to both teams they produced some excellent hurling too, and it was good to see clubs play with fire and passion. Hopefully some of it will rub off on our county team this year. In one altercation in front of the St Thomasâ€â„¢s goalmouth Joe Canning went down with a groin injury and needed medical treatment for some minutes while Ollie Canning also needed attention after crashing into Richie Murray who also went down in what seemed to be an accidental collision. An eagerly awaited second half unfolded with Joe Canning driving over a 65 but Richie Murray cut the deficit and Anthony Kelly, having his best game for some time, saw his goal effort deflected over by Joe Keane. Ollie Canning, who had moved back to the defence after Eugene McEntee went off with an injury before the break, cleared after a melee and then gave a defensive masterclass. At the other end his brother Joe had a low free stopped. It was to be a low scoring second half. Portumna only managed five more points after that with Ronan Oâ€â„¢Meara sending over a delightful effort from the left wing and J.C. firing a spectacular one from play. David Burke and James Regan got fine scores too, and it was 1-13 to 2-8 at the three-quarter stage before Conor Cooney drove over two long-distance frees to level the match. Joe Canning was now drifting out to the middle of the field and he regained the lead with a long free, only for Conor Cooney to tie the match again with another placed ball and with only five minutes remaining the scene was set for a frantic finish. Both sides went all out for the breakthrough and a Joe Canning free edged it Portumnaâ€â„¢s way as the excitement levels rose. When he got another chance via a long-range sideline cut from way out on the left wing J.C. lofted a glorious soaring drive high between the posts for a two-point advantage and St Thomasâ€â„¢s now needed two points or a goal to save the game. They got neither, despite plenty of frenetic pressing in the final minutes although Conor Cooney went close to a white flag with a late free. Once St Thomasâ€â„¢s got going they played with wonderful spirit all over the field and they showed the steely determination that enabled them to sweep all before them last year. Portumna, of course, always had self-belief after rising to the top â€â€ in the county and the country â€â€ and they look like a team ready to go places again. Both sides did enough to suggest they will be playing prominent roles at the business end of the competition and a re-match would be the fixture-makersâ€â„¢ dream. Portumna: J. Keane; M. Dolphin, E. McEntee, L. Smith; C. Oâ€â„¢Hare, E. Lynch, O. Treacy; A. Smith, G. Heagney; D. Hayes (1-2), K. Hayes (0-2), O. Canning; R. Oâ€â„¢Meara (0-3), J. Canning (0-8, four frees, one 65, one sideline cut), N. Hayes (0-1). Sub., P. Dolphin, for McEntee, inj. St. Thomasâ€â„¢s: P. Skehill; C. Burke, Robert Murray, S. Skehill; E. Tannion, Darragh Burke, S. Burke; J. Regan (0-1), David Burke (0-2); E. Burke, C. Cooney (1-4, 0-3 frees), B. Burke; G. Murray (1-0), Richard Murray (0-2), A. Kelly (0-2). Subs., D. Cooney, for E. Tannion; J. Barrett, for G. Murray. Referee: Peter Murphy (Loughrea). Herald Sport Man of the Match: shared by Ronan Oâ€â„¢Meara (Portumna) and Eanna Burke (St Thomasâ€â„¢s).[/private]