Gort star Harte looking to avenge pain of the ’80s

GORT are determined to continue Galway’s remarkable record in the All-Ireland club hurling championship, according to star attacker Aidan Harte.

Galway clubs have won ten of the last 20 All-Ireland titles but Harte said Gort’s failure to claim national honours after they captured a brace of county titles at the start of the 1980s — when his father Josie was corner-back — will be a driving force.

Gort were defeated in the 1982 All-Ireland semi-final by James Stephens and two years later reached the final when they beat Midleton. The final took place the following day when Ballyhale Shamrocks, who had also won their semi-final the previous day against Ballycastle from Antrim, prevailed after a replay.