Athenry return to top table in Galway after seeing off Portumna in gripping final

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR: Portumna’s Joe Canning reacts. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Galway Senior 'B' hurling final: Athenry 1-21 Portumna 3-13  

Athenry will be back in the top flight of the Galway SHC title in 2025 after edging out Portumna in a promotion decider between the two former superpowers who have seven All-Ireland club titles between them.

Joe Canning, who was 36 last week, almost rescued Portumna at the death when he blasted home a 20-metre free but was then narrowly off target with a free from distance which would have levelled the sides in a gripping encounter.

Cian Burke, who finished with 1-11, doubled Athenry’s lead in the dying moments and as Portumna came searching for a dramatic winning goal, defender Mark Hardiman secured possession and won a free out to clinch the win.

Hardiman was the team mascot 20 years ago when Athenry pipped Portumna in the Galway SHC decider to win their eighth county title during a period of dominance when they won three All-Ireland titles.

They had not won a senior title since but this Senior ‘B’ crown will see them back at the top table in Galway next year, boosted by recent county final wins at minor and junior.

Portumna, who took over from Athenry as the superpower in Galway which saw them win four All-Irelands and six county titles, were chasing this game from the end of the opening quarter after the sides were level four times.

Athenry led by 0-15 to 1-8 at the break with Burke leading the way on the scoring front, but a goal from a Joe Canning penalty after 20 minutes kept Portumna in touch.

His older brother Ivan, a veteran of their glory days, was in goal with Ivan’s son Andrew picking off a couple of points in attack.

A goal from Galway senior Declan McLoughlin gave Portumna hope midway through the second-half when he latched on to a long delivery from Joe Canning.

Athenry seemed poised for victory when a goal from Burke pushed them 1-20 to 2-13 in front five minutes from time but they were made to sweat all the way when Canning blasted home his second goal in stoppage time but as they did in their only ever senior final meeting 20 years ago, Athenry held on for a two-point win.

They were presented with the Reeves Cup afterward but next year will be competing for the Tom Callanan Cup, the premier hurling trophy on offer in Galway.