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Hurling supporters are in for a treat next Sunday as the Safety Direct Galway senior hurling championship semi finals are down for decision at Kenny Park in Athenry.
 GOING FOR GLORY . . . Former Galway forward Ollie Fahy who will be hoping to guide Gort to the county final when they take on Loughrea in the semi-finals on Sunday.
Loughrea will face the challenge of Gort in what should be a highly entertaining encounter in the opening encounter at 2.30 p.m, followed by Portumna against Liam Mellows at 4pm.
Gort topped their group beating Ballindereen, Castlegar and Craughwell, but they lost to Liam Mellows. In the preliminary quarter-finals Gort edged out Carnmore by 0-16 to 0-14 and in the quarter-final defeated last year's finalists Kinvara by 2-19 to 2-12.
It is very easy to start looking at another county final clash between Loughrea and Portumna, but Gort cannot be written off in this encounter. They have not been too far away in the past few years and this could be the year that they could be in the mix. During the early rounds of the championship they looked impressive and scored 9-98 in their six games. They have some quality players in the evergreen Ollie Fahy, chief scorer Gerry Quinn, Andy Coen, young Aidan Harte, Martin Nestor, along with the Killilea brothers, Paul and Keith and the Linnane brothers, Tadg and Sylvie Og, in addition to a solid custodian in Peter Cummins.
Loughrea on the other hand have had a turbulent year. They started out their championship campaign when they lost to St Thomas' and it didn't get much better when the only drew with Ardrahan in their next game. Some of the pressure came off when they defeated Mullagh but were left to face Athenry in their last game which ended in defeat, but other results had left them into the play off stages with little to spare. They have however scored 8-85 in the six games played but will have to display their best form if they are to reach another Co final.
In Johnny O'Loughlin and Johnny Maher Loughrea have two of the finest exponents of scoring powers and supported by players like Brian Mahony, Gavin Keary, Damien McClearn, Greg Kennedy and Kenneth Colleran they may need to strike their best form if they are to overtake Gort.
The second semi final should see reigning championship Portumna march on with ease as they face up to the challenge of Liam Mellows. The city club have a proud tradition and after many years holding up the other end of the championship it is great to see them back contesting at the final stages.
Mellows lost their opening game to Craughwell and then drew with Ballinderreen. However when the city side edged out neighbours Castlegar, people began to take notice and in their final game they defeated Gort and only lost the top spot in the group on scoring difference. Mellows defeated Kiltormer and Beagh to reach the semi-finals and have scored 8-77 in six games on route to the semi final, but despite have some quality players have an uphill battle ahead of them on Sunday. Over many years Liam Mellows have displayed a strong under age structure and the fruits of that dedicated hard work is now coming to fruition for the city side. However forced to field without their star player David Collins is a major blow to them at this stage of competition. They have survived all year without Collins, but now the going is tough and it is at this stage that a difference of a player can turn a game. Mellows have a balanced outfit and with Aonghus Callanan, John Lee, John Hughes, Conor Hynes, Brian Lee, Niall McInerney and the evergreen Geoffrey Lynskey they will not fear anyt opposition.
However, they face a Portumna side that have achieved it all before. Unbeaten in championship hurling since they lost the Galway championship final to Loughrea in 2006, the reigning All Ireland champions are hungry for further honours. Portumna have scored a whopping 12-86 in their six games in the championship. While they struggled for periods in some games they always chalked out a win and that is why it would be foolish to point against them on Sunday. Portumna may be without Kevin Hayes with a cruciate ligament injury, but with new players in minor star Martin Dolphin and attacker Ciaran Ryan, fitting in beside Ollie and Joe Canning, Andrew and Leo Smith, Niall and Damien Hayes and throw into the mix, Eoin Lynch, Eugene McEntee, Gareth Heagney, Micheal Ryan, Aidan O'Donnell and others and it is hard to see anyone upsetting such talent. There is no doubt but Mellows will give a huge effort that would be worthy of success, but a place in the final and the title is there again for Portumna to win again this year.
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