Board action angers Portumna

PORTUMNA have claimed that the injuries sustained by Joe Canning in this year’s Galway county final were a direct result of what they have described as a ‘‘dereliction of duty’’ by the county board.

Last year’s All-Ireland Club champions have also questioned the impartiality of the referee in that match, Michael Conway, who they claim has ‘‘close personal ties’’ with the town of Loughrea.

It is five weeks since Portumna lost to Loughrea in a hugely controversial county hurling final but, after taking ‘‘due care and time’’, the beaten finalists yesterday released a lengthy statement of almost 900 words listing their grievances with what happened, both on the day and in the aftermath.