Portroe edged out in 7's final

By Cóilín Duffy

 

There was disappointment for Tipperray's sides at the All-Ireland Senior and Junior Hurling Sevens in Dublin on Saturday.

Portroe did make the Beacon Hospital Senior Cup Final at Kilmacud Crokes only to lose out to the home club by seven-points in the decider.
Tommy Guilfoyle's charges looked good throughout this tournament, but Anthony Daly's Crokes side had just that little bit extra in the decider.

Portroe defeated Kilbeacanty (Galway), Kilmacud Crokes (2), Patrickswell (Limerick), Beagh (Galway) and Doon (Limerick) on route to the final.

In the decider, the hosts were eager from the off, with Marc Howard getting in for an early goal chance, but Portroe keeper John Sheedy delivered a fine save. Howard got the hosts off the mark a minute later, before Tipperary footballer Kevin O'Halloran bagged the games opening goal after three minutes. Kilmacud led by 1-9 to 2-2 at the end of an entertaining opening half.

Portroe's goals came as their opening and final scores to the half, with O'Halloran's effort early on, added to when Jack Moloney drilled a free to the net late in the half.

Portroe cut the gap to two points early on the restart, and when O'Halloran fired their third goal the sides were level. Back-to-back goals from Sean McGrath and Oisin O'Rorke were crucial to Crokes victory.

 

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