Keary frees key to ending Portumna's run

GALWAY SHC SEMI-FINAL REPLAY Loughrea 1-16 Portumna 1-14:PORTUMNA'S REMARKABLE run of success was brought to an end as Loughrea, inspired by the free-taking of Neil Keary, edged them out in a gripping Galway SHC semi-final replay.

Portumna have been in the last seven Galway finals, winning five and going on to take three All-Ireland titles, but they just ran out of gas at Athenry on Saturday.

And it was no surprise it was Loughrea who brought their run to an end. They have had the misfortune for the greatest era in their club’s history to coincide with Portumna’s and they lost three county finals to them since 2003. Their only success, a 2006 win to add to their success in 1941, was tainted by a nasty fallout following some vicious exchanges.

But they fully deserved their success and would have won by more had Portumna not got a few late points and a goal from a long-range free by Andy Smith in the dying seconds.

Loughrea held Portumna scoreless from the 24th minute of the opening half until 11 minutes from the end, during which time Loughrea hit 0-7.

Portumna lost Eoin Lynch to a second yellow card but this game was never dirty. The free-takers were centre-stage for most of the opening half, with Johnny O’Loughlin turning the tie Loughrea’s way after 23 minutes with a goal after latching onto Thomas Hoban’s pass, following good work further back by Vinnie Maher.

Joe Canning and All-Star Damien Hayes, both of whom were subdued, hit points to make it 1-7 to 0-9 but Loughrea pushed on during Portumna’s scoreless half hour to lead by 1-11 to 0-9 at the break and by 1-14 to 0-9 going into the final quarter.

Even Ollie Canning was pushed into attack but Brian Mahony, Damien McClearn, Nigel Shaughnessy and Vinnie Maher were on top and Loughrea advanced to a final showdown with Clarinbridge, who won their only title in 2001.

LOUGHREA: N Murray; B Mahony, D McClearn, E Mahony; N Shaughnessy (0-1, free), P Hoban, V Maher; E Mahony, G Keary; J Coen (0-1), J Maher (0-1), J Regan; T Hoban, J O'Loughlin (1-2), N Keary (0-11, nine frees, one 65). Subs: K Colleran for T Hoban 54 mins, B Dooley for G Keary 60 mins, G Kennedy for J Regan 60 mins.

PORTUMNA: I Canning; A O'Donnell, E McEntee, O Canning; E Lynch, M Ryan, G Heagney; L Smith, P Smith; A Smith (1-1, goal free), N Hayes, K Hayes (0-1); D Hayes (0-2); C O'Hare, J Canning (0-10, eight frees). Subs: G Kelly for O'Hare 30 mins, C Ryan for P Smith 30 mins, R Royston for L Smith 35 mins.

Referee: P Greene.