Portumna 2-11, Clarinbridge 0-15

All-Ireland champions Portumna were put to the pin of their collar by a brave Clarinbridge side but in the end Ollie Canning's men were able to edge a tense Galway SHC quarter-final clash at Kenny Park in Athenry.

STAR MAN . . . Portumna captain Ollie Canning who was outstanding as the champions saw off the challenge of Clarinbridge in the quarter-fi nals of the senior hurling championship at Kenny Park on Sunday.

A goal in each half from Ciaran Ryan was enough to get the holders across the line but it was a far from vintage display from Portumna against a fired-up Clarinbridge side who just lacked the scoring ability to cause a big upset.

Ryan's opening goal after 21 minutes was the result of a magnificent end-to-end move by Portumna which started with Ollie Canning and involved Damian Hayes, Davy Canning and Niall Hayes before Ryan first-timed to the net for a 1-5 to 0-5 lead.

Portumna looked to be in trouble when Clarinbridge opened a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after 19 minutes, largely through the free-taking of Mark Kerins.

But then Joe Canning burst into life and after Damian Hayes reduced the deficit, Canning struck for points either side of the goal and they took a 1-6 to 0-6 lead into the break.

Clarinbridge again set the pace after the restart and the crowd of about 6,000 saw Davy Donoghue, Stephen Forde and Mark Kerins find the range to level the match after 39 minutes.

It was point for point throughout the second-half although Joe Canning put Portumna two ahead with less than three minutes to go.

Davy Forde reduced the margin to the minimum to set up a grandstand finish but just when it seemed Clarinbridge were deservedly going to salvage a draw the superb Ollie Canning burst out of defence, fed Eugene McEntee and his long delivery was finished to the net by Ryan for a four-points lead. Makr Kerins and Donoghue reduced the margin in stoppage time but Portumna closed out the game to book a place in the semi-finals.

Portumna: I Canning; M Dolphin, E McEntee, O Canning; G Heagney, M Ryan, T Quinn; E Lynch (0-1), L Smith; N Hayes (0-1), J Canning (0-8, four frees), A Smith; D Hayes (0-1), C Ryan (2-0), D Canning.
Sub: K Hayes for D Canning, half-time.

Clarinbridge: L Donoghue; J Cannon, A Quinn, P Callinan; S Forde (0-2), B Burke, M Donoghue; S Burke, A Kerins; E Collins, M Kerins (0-9, seven frees), P Coen; C Coen, E Forde, D Donoghue (0-3).
Subs: D Forde (0-1) for C Coen, 28 mins; P Burke for E Forde, 46 mins; J Cannon for Collins, 57 mins.

Referee: J Keehan.

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