Ruthless champions show no mercy in one-sided rout

Portumna 2-10

By Eanna O’Reilly in Loughrea

A tremendous second-half performance from reigning champions St Thomas’ saw them put Portumna to the sword in ruthless fashion on Sunday afternoon in Loughrea. A well-contested first-half saw three points separate the sides at the interval, but the second period saw the six-in-a-row chasers assert their superiority in emphatic fashion.

A remarkable display of shooting in the second-half saw Kenneth Burke’s side outscore their opponents by 1-20 to 0-2. It was difficult to credit how one-sided this match became, after a first-half in which little separated the teams.

St Thomas’ made the perfect start, when a well-worked move resulted in Damien McGlynn being put through for a second minute goal. Portumna though, responded positively at the opposite end.

Donal Donoghue and Martin Dolphin registered points, before a good score from Martin Tuohy levelled the contest after six minutes, at 0-3 to 1-0. The champions soon got into their stride however, scoring five points in a row.

Conor Cooney, James Regan, Victor Manso, and Eanna Burke (0-2), made it 1-5 to 0-3 with a variety of good scores. The momentum soon switched again however, and Portumna took the initiative during the next 10 minutes, scoring 1-4 without reply.

Declan McLoughlin, David O’Meara, and Martin Tuohy raised white flags for Jimmy Heverin’s side during an impressive spell. Referee Brian Keon then awarded a penalty to Portumna, penalising Fintan Burke for fouling Joe Canning under a dropping ball.

Canning blasted the penalty low to the net past Gerald Kelly to give Portumna the lead. The former Galway star pointed a free three minutes later to make it 1-7 to 1-5. Nevertheless, the title holders kept their composure, hitting back with 1-3 of their own.

Pictured: Portumna’s Colin Burke tries to fend off the challenge of Darragh Burke of St Thomas’ in Loughrea last Sunday. Photo: David Cunniffe.