Portumna have been clocking up the miles as they prepare for Saturday's All-Ireland club SHC semi-final against Na Piarsaigh.

The inclement weather has wrecked the Galway and Connacht champions' pitch, so they've been taking to the road to get as many training sessions as possible together ahead of tomorrow's Semple Stadium clash:

"It's tough. We're going all over the place trying to get the combination of lights and a good field," manager Frank Canning tells The Irish Examiner.

"We actually have perfect lights in Portumna but our field is destroyed after the rain. You couldn't train on it. We've been in Cappataggle [Galway] on the astroturf pitch, in Carrig & Riverstown, near Birr, and we go to Banagher a good bit [both Offaly]. They have a sand-based pitch with lights.

"We've trained in Crinkill in Birr, in Ballingarry [Tipperary], in Clonfert [Meelick-Eyrecourt, Galway], in Pearses which is actually in Roscommon, just outside Ballinasloe.

"We played a match in Whitegate [Clare], another in Thurles in Dr Morris Park - that was actually in great shape, probably the best place we came across.

"It's a pain in the arse but sure it's the same for everyone. No pitch is in perfect condition at this time of year. The astroturf is fine but it can give you a false sense of where the ball will bounce.

"You try your best to stay off that but then when you're up to your knees in muck and shite what can you do?

"We've been around the world a bit, that's for sure but a lot of clubs would give their right hand to be in our position so you do what you have to." Tweet

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