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Vincents and Portumna triumph St.
Vincents and Portumna both emerged victorious in the All-Ireland club
finals in Croke Park on St. Patrick’s Day.
Dublin champions St. Vincents beat Cork’s Nemo Rangers on a slender
1-11 to 0-13 scoreline in the football final while Portumna beat near
neighbours Birr in the hurling final by 3-19 to 3-9.
Inspired by teenager Joe Canning, Portumna claimed their second All-Ireland
crown in three years but got off to a dreadful start after Birr grabbed
two goals through Stephen Whelahan and Sean Ryan.
The Galway champions were looking shaky but Andy Smith helped settled
their nerves when he goaled midway through the half.
Portumna were awarded a soft penalty on 20 minutes but Canning’s
shot was blocked on the line.
The teenager’s head didn’t drop though, and a well-driven
’65 gave his side the lead going into the break, 1-11 to 2-4.
Despite playing into a strong breeze in the second-half, Portumna began
the stronger and they opened an eight-point gap when Smith grabbed his
second goal of the day.
Damien Hayes goaled with 10 minutes left and although Whelahan found the
net for Birr a minute later, the result was never in doubt.
The football final looked to be all over as a contest at half-time.
With the assistance of a strong breeze, St. Vincents dominated proceedings
and a Diarmuid Connolly goal and seven points from captain Tomas Quinn
had the Leinster side in the driving seat at the interval, 1-7 to 0-4
the score.
Nemo were lucky not to be further behind at the short whistle, talisman
James Masters keeping them in contention with some well-taken scores.
But the 2003 champions battled back after the restart, with Masters beginning
to find more room to manouevre.
Alan Cronin bagged a quick brace of points before a cracking effort from
Masters reduced the deficit to four points.
Rangers were now in the ascendancy and Dylan Mehigan should have found
the net when he jumped highest to fist Masters’ lofted ball on to
the crossbar.
Nemo were within touching distance of their opponents yet never managed
to regain parity and although Masters reduced the deficit to the minimum
with seconds remaining, the resultant kick-out was met with the final
whistle.
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