GALWAY SHC QUARTER-FINALS:GALWAY THREE-in-a-row winners Portumna did not score a point for 19 minutes in their quarter-final joust with neighbours Mullagh yesterday but by then they had scored three goals to wrap-up a place in the semi-finals.
Kevin Hayes finished to the net twice along with corner forward Conor O’Hare.
That helped them to a 3-3 to 0-6 interval lead in a game which saw Sunday Game analysts go head to head with former Offaly star Michael Duignan now involved with Portumna and Pete Finnerty helping out his native Mullagh.
Mullagh never gave up but Portumna remain on course for their eighth successive final appearance after a 3-12 to 0-11 win.
Tynagh/Abbey/Duniry, promoted last year, booked their semi-final spot with a hard-earned 1-12 to 0-11 win over city side Liam Mellows. Former Galway full back Liam Hodgins was superb for Tynagh/Abbey/Duniry but it was the contribution of two players who will be underage for the Galway minors again next year that tipped it in their favour, with Shane Moloney blasting home the decisive goal and Pádraig Breheny crowning a fine display with two points.
A goal in stoppage time from Johnny Maher saw last year’s runners-up Loughrea hold off the challenge of neighbours Craughwell on a 1-12 to 0-12 scoreline. Niall Healy, who scored 0-8 for Craughwell, had a chance in the fifth minute of stoppage to force a replay but his free from 25 yards was blocked.
Clarinbridge also booked their place in the last four when they led by 0-10 to 0-6 at the interval against Tommie Larkins, before goals from Eoin Forde and Alan Kerins sealed the issue.
