Boost for Galway as Portumna seven return

IN the aftermath of their exhilarating one point victory over All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the Allianz National Hurling League last weekend Galway have been given another massive boost.

All seven of the Portumna club side on the county panel returned to training last night and will be in the reckoning for first team places for Sunday’s clash with Dublin at Pearse Stadium.

All Stars Ollie and Joe Canning, the three Hayes brothers, Kevin, Damien and Niall, together with Eoin Lynch and Anthony Smith, were released from inter-county duty because of Portumna’s involvement in the All-Ireland club series.

McIntyre could now be facing an embarrassment of riches because three of the substitutes he introduced during the course of the Kilkenny game at Nowlan Park, Kevin Hynes, Iarla Tannian and Ritchie Cummins all came up trumps with Tannian scoring a brace of goals.

At present Galway trail Cork by a point on the Division 1 leadership Board with Tipperary a point further back.

But with Cork and Tipp poised to meet at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday things could change at the top.

The Galway, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford teams are due to be announced tonight.

Meanwhile Croke Park has acceded to a request from Westmeath to have their Division 2 league game with Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis brought forward to Saturday.