Joe the hero for Portumna

Portumna (Galway) 2-13 Loughmore-Castleiney (Tipperary) 2-9

Portumna hurler Joe Canning was a central figure at the Gaelic Grounds today as the 2006 champions won through to their second All-Ireland club final in three years.

One of four Cannings in the Galway side, the full-forward scored 1-3 as the men from the west took a 1-5 to 0-4 lead into the second half.

Loughmore-Castleiney, appearing in their first All-Ireland semi-final, fought on with Noel McGrath and Micheal Webster registering goals, but Niall Hayes settled the issue to set up a Portumna-Birr decider.