Can Loughrea come back and provide another shock for Portumna or will Mullagh reach their first county final since 1966. All will be revealed on Sunday evening when Loughrea will take on Mullagh in the second semi final on Sunday evening. Loughrea had to dig into all their reserves before they saw off the challenge of Beagh in extra time of their replayed quarter-final two weekends ago, and having accounted for Kiltormer with ease, one questions just how good the champions of 2006 are.

Was it a case of postponing the inevitable or can Loughrea go on and reach the high standards of a few years ago when they went on to reach the All-Ireland final in Croke Park?

Certainly, this Loughrea team can take nothing for granted as they face a Mullagh side that have risen from the doldrums. Mullagh have shown that within a short time they can mix it with the top flight. Facing relegation last year along with Turloughmore, Pearses and Ballinderreen, Mullagh survived after failing to win a match in their group games, but have turned it around this season.

Nobody took much notice of Mullagh in the group as they drew with St Thomas, beat Craughwell and then lost to Gort and Sarsfields. However, when they drew with St Mary's, Athenry and then beat them in the replay, people began to take notice and they then went on to take the scalp of Clarinbridge in the quarter-final. Mullagh have been scoring consistently of late and that is a major plus ahead of the final stages of the competition.

They will find Loughrea a difficult opponent, but they will not fear them. This game could well be a classic and don’t rule out Mullagh making their first appearance in the Galway senior hurling final since 1966. Many however feel that maybe they shouldn't even bother playing the second semi final and just present the cup to Portumna.

While the daunting champions will be waiting in the wings, Loughrea or Mullagh would like to have the opportunity to test them out.

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