Pearses 0-19 Portumna 2-13: This League, Round 3 game played in Ballymacward on Sunday last looked to be heading in Pearses’ favour, when the home side stretched their lead to 10 points with twelve minutes gone in the second half. Portumna some how managed to reel in the deficit in the closing stages and an injury time goal stole a draw for last year’s County Finalists.
Both teams were without several of their regular starters, but Ronan Bellew, Emmett Ward and Damien Wynne led Pearses into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead after thirteen minutes. It could have been more, but Portumna kept out a Bellew goal chance. The second quarter was more competitive, with Pearses edging it. Bellew led the scorers from frees and play, while Emmet Ward, Niall Skehill, Jimmy Gelston, Damien Wynne and Colm Raftery also got on the scoresheet. Pearses led 0-12 to 0-5 at the break.
In the opening twelve minutes of the second half Pearses outscored Portumna 0-5 to 0-2, to stretch the gap to ten points, 0-17 to 0-7. Portumna’s revival started with a quickfire 1-1 and with Owen Treacy, Ronan O’Meara and Damien Hayes moving well in attack they controlled the final quarter. It looked like Pearses had survived the Portumna fightback to hold out for a win, but the late late goal levelled the game.
Pearses: P O’Brien; B Egan, T McDonagh, R Lally; K Donnellan, D Wynne (0-1), E Cunniffe; R O’Neill, J Gelston (0-1); R Bellew (0-9), E Ward (0-3), N Skehill (0-3); G Lally, C Raftery (0-1), C O’Grady (0-1). Subs used: F Flannery, A Kilkenny, J Lally, L Murphy, R Skehill.