Massive Canning free fires Portumna to dramatic win

Joe Canning landed a free from 110 yards to complete a remarkable comeback by All-Ireland champions Portumna and send them into the semi-finals of the Galway SHC.

The champions looked set to bow out in a repeat of last year’s final, trailing by a goal with two minutes left against arch-rivals Loughrea. But Ronan O’Meara flicked home a goal to level the match and Canning, scorer of 1-10, landed the matchwinner in front of a crowd of about 6,000.

Johnny Maher, who had led the Loughrea challenge, had a last-gasp chance to level the match but his free from the right tailed wide and Portumna held on to win, 2-15 to 1-17.