Presentation, Athenry 2-16
Portumna CS 2-7

Brian Burke was the scoring hero for Presentation Athenry as they defeated Galway rivals Portumna CS in Ballinasloe yesterday to reach the Connacht Colleges SHC final.

The full forward, who played in Galway's All-Ireland minor final defeat to Waterford last year, scored nine of his 10 points in the opening half when Athenry had the wind behind them. He was also involved in the opening goal which was scored by Cian Burke and helped Athenry to a commanding 1-12 to 0-2 lead at the break.

The game was well and truly ended as a contest when Evan Niland cracked home the winners' second goal in the 40th minute to leave them perched on a 2-14 to 0-4 lead. The impressive Eamonn Larkin pulled back a brace of goals for Portumna, but the result was never in doubt.

The other semi-final between Gort CS and St Brigid's, Loughrea was postponed because of an unplayable pitch at Pearse Stadium.

Scorers - Presentation Athenry: B Burke 0-10 (4fs, 1 '65', 1 s-l), C Burke 1-2, E Niland 1-1, C Shaughnessy 0-2, R Hardiman 0-1. Portumna CS: E Larkin 2-6 (1-4f), J Canning 0-1.

Presentation Athenry - C Farrell; J Fitzpatrick, B Hickey, A Greaney; R Doyle, V Doyle, S Loftus; S Bannon, B Concannon; R Hardiman, C Shaughnessy, R Byrne; C Burke, B Burke, E Niland. Subs: T Forde for Hardiman (35), D Daly for Niland (45), N Burke for Concannon (50), E Callanan for Greaney (60).

Portumna CS - S O'Grady; L Casey, B Gohery, J Madden; C Quirke, J Downey, J Madden; K O'Hara, J Canning; N Moloney, S Whelan, J McLoughlin; N Concannon, S Scully, E Larkin. Subs: E McEvoy for Whelan (38), J Burke for Madden (59).

Ref - C Browne (Galway). Tweet

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