Majic.iE

By Paul Madden

Portumna didn’t let the bookies down on St. Patrick’s Day as they strode comfortably to their third All-Ireland crown in four years, crushing Munster champions De La Salle en route to victory on a score line of 2-24 to 1-7. Despite a tenacious opening quarter from De La Salle, the Shannonsiders were more than a match for their Waterford opponents when things got scrappy.

GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START

Portumna quickly raced into a lead of 0-05 to 0-01 with full back Eugene McEntee leading the way with a magnificent opening score.

Steve Brenner in the De La Salle goal must have felt like a lumberjack trying to hack away at a cedar tree with a rusty spoon such was the frequency and futility of his puck outs.

Ollie Canning showed his pedigree patrolling the full backline with great guile, regularly mopping up behind the half backline as he has done to great effect for club and county for many years.

At the other end of the field his brother Joe was finding his rhythm and his clever hand pass over his shoulder set pacy corner forward Damien Hayes in the clear and he duly dispatched the sliotar low passed the outstretched Steve Brenner. The pair contributed 2-11 of Portumna's total between the with Hayes scoring 2-2 from play. A third goal looked on in the second half but Hayes was denied by an overworked Brenner in the De La Salle goal.

GAME OVER

There was no way back from the Waterford men at this stage and Hayes capped a fine first half by blasting Ciaran Ryan’s hand pass past the reeling Brenner.

Kevin “Chunky” Hayes contributed with some surging runs through the heart of the De La Salle defence. His physical prowess at the heart of the Portumna attack never in doubt, fielding some terrific possesion and contributing two points from play. So often an unsung here it was his pace and skill that made him stand out on the day.

Another stalwart, Niall Hayes worked tirelessly throughout and finished his afternoon shift with four points from play in yet another workman like display.

WORK LIKE DOGS

Portumna’s renowned work ethic from one to fifteen and throughout the panel has made them the force they are today. That ’work like dogs’ mantra, inscribed on each players forearm in bold letters, was underpinned by eleven of their players getting on the score sheet, including the front eight, centre back and full back.

Such was the comfort of their victory the had time to bring in the old guard with Mike Gill, Pierce Treacy and Davy Canning make a late appearance. Canning’s first touch was to result in a point moments after being introduced.

THREE IN A ROW?

Winning three All-Ireland’s in four years is no mean feat. The ease with which this side coasted through the county championship in Galway, before demolishing the much fancied Ballyhale Shamrocks and Munster champions De La Salle, it’s hard to see anyone stopping Portumna making it three-in-a-row. If they show the same hunger and determination they will surely be in contention for the Tommy Moore Cup again in 2010.

Portumna: I Canning; M Dolphin, E McEntee, O Canning; G Heagney, M Ryan, A O'Donnell; E Lynch, L Smith; N Hayes, K Hayes, A Smith; D Hayes, J Canning, C Ryan. Subs: D Canning for C Ryan (56), M Gill for Heagney (57), P Smith for L Smith (57), P Treacy O'Donnell (59), J O'Flaherty for McEntee (59).

De La Salle: S Brenner; A Kelly, K Moran, M Doherty; D Russell, I Flynn, S Daniels; B Phelan, C Watt; P Nevin, J Mullane, L Hayes; D Twomey, D McGrath, D Greene. Subs: B Farrell for Hayes (10), T Kearney for McGrath (17), J Quirke for Farrell (ht), A O'Neill for Watt (56), D Dooley for Twomey (56).