Kelly: Portumna won’t be off guard

THE bookmakers have installed them as heavy favourites, their whole side is dripping with talent, yet Portumna will approach tomorrow’s All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final against Dunloy with a degree of wariness.

Back in 2004, the Galway club were fresh from their maiden county title the autumn before. But their All-Ireland dreams ran aground when they collided with Dunloy in last four. It’s an episode manager Johnny Kelly has been reminding his players of.

“The favourites thing is something we’ve never dwelt with. We take it in our stride and concentrate on our hurling. We’d be methodical and professional in our preparations. We’ll give Dunloy as much respect as we’d give Ballyhale Shamrocks and Newtownshandrum.