Dogged Birr can counter Portumna’s pace

WHEN will the GAA address the unfair imbalance that exists in all its championships? Birr and Portumna are two worthy hurling finalists but consider their respective routes to Croke Park after their county championships.

Birr had to face reigning All-Ireland champions Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final, followed by a talented and powerful Ballyboden-St Enda’s from Dublin, against whom they scraped home by one point.

Portumna, meanwhile, in their only game in Connacht, were demolishing James Stephens of Mayo (6-23 to 0-7). Next up for Portumna were Loughmore-Castleiney, who had beaten Erin’s Own, Adare and Tulla — champions of Cork, Limerick and Clare respectively — in Munster.