Injury thwarts Galway’s Healy

Galway SHC: Galway hurlers have suffered a huge blow with experienced attacker Niall Healy set to miss all of the Leinster championship campaign with a serious knee injury.

Healy, in fine form this season, was injured playing for Craughwell against Turloughmore in Galway’s club championship on Saturday.

Manager Anthony Cunningham is likely to know the extent of the injury later today after Healy undergoes a scan.

Meanwhile All-Ireland champions Portumna got the defence of their Galway SHC title off to a winning start yesterday. With Joe Canning in superb form, they cruised to a 2-28 to 2-14 win over Carnmore.

Inspired by Canning and Damien Hayes, Portumna led 1-12 to 2-7 at half-time and after the restart they upped their efforts and ran out easy winners in the first of their group games.

Gort fired four past Tommy Larkins in an impressive 4-14 to 2-13 win yesterday evening.

First-half goals from Mike Mullins and Richie Cummins helped Gort to a 2-8 to 0-5 lead at the break and they held that advantage after the interval to take the win.

Cummins and Paul Killilea wrapped up the win with two early goals after the break and held solid despite Larkins’ comeback.

Johnny Maher’s two late scores were part of a five-point blitz that helped Loughrea to a 0-15 to 0-13 victory over Sarsfields in Athenry.

The win took the 2006 county champions second in Group A, with top spot being occupied by Killimordaly, surprise leaders following a 1-19 to 0-20 win over Mullagh.

Clarinbridge enjoyed a 1-15 to 0-13 win over last year’s intermediate champions Kilnadeema-Leitrim in Loughrea on Saturday, with the 2010 All-Ireland champions putting in a strong second-half display.

Craughwell’s superb form continued with a 0-12 to 0-10 victory over the Tony Considine- coached Turloughmore, with Brian Holland seeing red for the losers.

Beagh and Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry played out a classic in the other game in Group C (1-16 to 1-16) while Ardrahan drew first blood in Group D at Loughrea on Friday as they defeated a young Athenry side 1-13 to 1-11.