Date Published: {J}

JOB done. We have become used to Portumna hurlers producing awesome displays in All-Ireland Club semi-finals, but last Sunday in Parnell Park wasn’t one of them. Of course, there is no arguing with a comprehensive 12 points victory over a battling Dunloy outfit, but the reigning champions certainly weren’t as slick or as sharp as we have come to expect of them at this time of year.

In reality, it’s probably a good thing. Portumna knew they didn’t have to peak for their clash with the admirable Antrim men and have probably kept something in the locker for next month’s mouth-watering All-Ireland final against Ballyhale Shamrocks.

That March 17 showdown has all the ingredients to be an epic as Johnny Kelly’s men close in on hurling history and a third consecutive Tommy Moore Cup.

That’s a challenge for another day and Portumna’s less than spectacular effort against Dunloy could be a blessing in disguise in the build up to the decider. There may be no obvious signs of any significant wear and tear in their ranks having been virtually hurling all-year around over the past seven seasons, but Portumna can’t be going out and blowing teams away every day. Serving up consistent high intensity performances do eventually take their toll and the title holders are probably aware of it.

Mind you, when it was put up to them in the second-half at Parnell Park, Portumna’s response will have assured their supporters that the hunger and ambition remains intact. Four unanswered points, including a spectacular effort from wing back Kevin McKeague, had brought Dunloy to within 1-11 to 0-9 on the scoreboard and it also took a piece of smart goalkeeping from Ivan Canning and superb defending by Ollie Canning in the same incident subsequently to maintain that advantage.

With Dunloy deploying wing forward Paul Shields as an extra defender, Portumna were finding it difficult to open up the opposition rearguard though the tactical bunching couldn’t prevent Joe Canning from expertly putting Ciaran Ryan in the clear for a tonic goal in the second quarter. They led 1-10 to 0-5 at the interval with Kevin ‘Chunky’ Hayes and half-back Peter Smith landing excellent points despite the very bare surface which would hardly have suited the long-time unbeaten champions.

A pointed Canning free stretched Portumna’s advantage early in the second-half, but Dunloy proceeded to enjoy their best period of the match and having paired back the lead to five points and backed by the elements, it briefly appeared that Leo Smith and company were in trouble. Typically, they upped the ante and with Joe Canning’s switch to the forty causing a bit of panic in Dunloy’s ranks, allied to Andy Smith neat point-taking on the left wing, they began to pull away again.

Overall, a rock-solid effort from Portumna with centre back Micheal Ryan again emerging as one of the team’s most influential performers. Behind him, Ollie Canning never put a foot wrong and the squad have clearly left something to work on ahead of the final. The re-availability of Niall Hayes will increase their options and it is only reasonable to assume a far more vigorous effort in Croke Park.

As anticipated, Ballyhale came through – just about – their semi-final clash with Newtownshandrum in Thurles on a day the rival goalkeepers excelled. Initially, it looked like the Kilkenny men were going to comfortably justify their favourites’ tag with Henry Shefflin doing a fair bit of damage up front. They led 0-13 to 0-10 at the interval, but the Cork champions came roaring back into the contest on the resumption.

The repeated sight of Cathal Naughton, admittedly hurling’s answer to Usain Bolt, careering through the Ballyhale defence will not have gone unnoticed by Portumna whose pace and movement had bewildered the same opposition in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final. There is no doubt that Ballyhale are dangerous in attack, but a big question mark still hangs over their rearguard. In short, Portumna have the better balanced team.

DEFINING GAME

IRELAND’S horrendous record against the French in Paris – now one win in 39 years – took a turn turn for the worse last Saturday. Not alone were the reigning Six Nations champions beaten, but they were beaten out of sight. There is no arguing with a 33-10 scoreline and several of the team’s great servants looked tired men long before the finish.

There is absolutely no doubt that this Ireland squad hit their peak performance level last season and a first Grand Slam triumph in over 60 years was no more than Brian O’Driscoll and his team-mates deserved. This squad of players have given us many great days, but they can’t go on forever. Hayes, O’Connell and Wallace are starting to wilt in the pack while O’Gara’s best years are behind him too.

Sure, they will lift it for their upcoming confrontation against England at Twickenham, but we can forget about Ireland becoming World champions. Frankly, the mercurial French could have won by more as tries from Servat, Jauzion and Poitrenaud, not forgetting quality drop goals from Parra and Michalak, were the high points of a devastating performance. Ireland simply couldn’t cope with France’s aggression and brute force – the only consolation is that they won’t be running into such high quality opposition for the rest of the tournament.

For more, read page 53 of this week’s Connacht Tribune.