Connacht SH Final/Portumna 2-22 Four Roads 0-6: Portumna of Galway coasted to their second Connacht hurling title in three years yesterday when they had their expected win over Roscommon champions Four Roads at Athleague.
Portumna were sluggish in the first half, at the end of which they still led by nine points thanks to a goal from Joe Canning. However, they upped their game in the second half to win by a 22 points.
Canning, who is still a minor next year, underlined his status as the boy wonder of Galway hurling by finishing with 1-9, including 1-2 from play.
Ray Mulry converted three frees for Four Roads in the first half, but Portumna had a stream of points before pouncing for their first goal after 18 minutes. A downfield clearance found Damien Hayes who set up Canning and he drove a low shot to the net.
Hayes then drilled home his goal in the 40th minute. The rest of the match was an exhibition as the Galway champions scored at will.
PORTUMNA: I Canning; M Gill, E McEntee, A O'Donnell; E Lynch, M Ryan, G Heagney; O Canning, D Canning (0-3); N Hayes (1-1), K Hayes (0-3), L Smith (0-1); D Hayes (0-4), A Smith (0-1, free), J Canning (1-9, 0-7 frees). Subs: P Treacy for Lynch (half-time), M Dolphin for O'Donnell (45 mins), J O'Flaherty for Gill (52 mins), E McKeigue for Smith (52 mins).
FOUR ROADS: A Tully; M McLoughlin, M Mulry, N Cunniffe; M Kelly, D Lohan, B Kelly; T Lennon, P Tiernan; J Moran, R Mulry (0-3, frees), T Kelly; K Waldron, R Kennedy, J Mannion (0-3, frees). Sub: E Rogerson for T Kelly (35 mins).
Referee: J Weldon (Westmeath).
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