Joe Canning scored two late points - including one from a sideline cut - to give Portumna a 1-16 to 2-11 victory over reigning All-Ireland club champions St. Thomas' in the Galway SHC at Athenry yesterday.

Billed as the 'Clash of the Titans', three-time All-Ireland winners Portumna signalled their intent with an early goal from Damien Hayes. They went on to lead by 1-8 to 0-3 before goals from Conor Cooney and Gerald Murray left St. Thomas' trailing by three points, 2-4 to 1-10, at the break.

Cooney, who scored 1-4, and David Burke, brought the holders closer in the second half, but Canning's late strikes were enough to ensure Portumna of a winning start to their group campaign.

Elsewhere, Conor O'Shaughnessy scored a late point to earn Turloughmore a 1-16 apiece draw with 2011 champions Gort. The game marked the return of Galway captain Fergal Moore to action for the first time since he was knocked out in the Allianz League semi-final against Kilkenny.

Last year's runners-up Loughrea overcame Kinvara by 0-17 to 0-13, while Maurice Callanan bagged 0-13 for Ardrahan in their 0-23 to 0-19 victory over Mullagh.

Castlegar were 1-17 to 1-14 winners over Craughwell, Padraig Pearses beat Kiltormer 0-16 to 0-13, while last year's intermediate winners Killimordaly drew with Clarinbridge thanks to Keith Kennedy's late equalising point. Tweet

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