Sarsfields ... 3-13 Portumna ... 3-12: Having trailed at one stage by nine points, Sarsfields snatched victory when Joe Cooney struck a goal from a 20-metre free at Ballinasloe yesterday.
The former All-Ireland champions were first to score after 20 seconds but had to take a back seat as Portumna landed goals from Andrew Smith and Vincent Treacy. They added a Johnny Kelly goal just before the interval to put the losers in front 3-8 to 1-7 at the interval.
Portumna added a further brace of points inside the first minute of the second half to put nine points between the sides; but Sarsfields staged a recovery in which Cooney's marksmanship was so vital.
SCORERS: Sarsfields: J Cooney 1-9, J McGrath 1-1, A Donohue 1-0, Padraig Kelly, Peter Kelly, P Forde 0-1 each; Portumna: V Treacy 1-2, J Kelly 1-1, A Smith 1-1, F Canning 0-3, D Hayes 0-2, A O'Donnell 0-2, D Canning 0-1.
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