Loughrea, winners in 2006 and runners-up in two of the last three finals, booked their place in the Galway SHC semi-finals with a 2-10 to 1-13 win over neighbours and arch-rivals Mullagh yesterday.

A CROWD of close on 10,000 witnessed an enthralling conclusion to this tense Galway SHC semi-final as Portumna looked to have let a winning hand slip before salvaging a draw in the seventh minute of stoppage time.