The final score probably isn’t an accurate portrayal of this game as a whole. Portumna were made to work hard for this win by a spirited Pearses outfit. Two late Portumna goals put a deceptive gloss on the final scoreline. Pearses started the better of the two teams and were in front when Andy Smith got through for Portumna’s first goal. Led by the excellent Cyril Donnellan (0-5 from play in the first half) Pearses fought back. However, Joe Canning planted a 21 yard free to the net to stretch Portumna’s lead, leaving the half-time score: Portumna 2-6, Pearses 0-9. Portumna had the better start to the second half with 5 successive points. But Pearses again responded and after a goal from Tomás Flannery were back to within 3 points going into the final minutes. Damien Hayes broke through for Portumna’s 3rd goal to open the gap again and Joe Canning added another shortly after to seal the win for Portumna.