Portumna primed for big battle

WISER, more experienced and not exactly lacking in confidence - that is Portumna's approach to Sunday's AIB All-Ireland club hurling semi-final against holders James Stephens in Semple Stadium.

The wisdom comes largely from the bitter lessons the Galway side learned from their shock defeat at the hands of Dunloy at this stage two years ago. And, as team captain Eugene McEntee points out, they have matured as a team in the interim period.

As regards confidence, that equally unexpected Galway victory over Kilkenny in last season's All-Ireland semi-final has helped to further their education. Portumna have been very much to the fore in the county championship over the last five years, climbing towards the top before contesting the past three finals and winning two of them.