By Cóilín Duffy Ballyhale Shamrocks and Sarsfields of Cork were victorious in Provincial Club Hurling action on Sunday, while there were county title wins for St. Martins in Wexford and Portumna in Galway, with the added boost of provincial honours for the back-to-back county champions in the West. A 1-18 to 1-11 victory at Nowlan Park earned Ballyhale Shamrocks a Leinster Club SHC semi-final against Raharney of Westmeath in a fortnight following a hard earned seven-point win over Laois champions Rathdowney/Errill. Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid were the providers in chief for the eventual winners amassing 14 points between them over the hour. Shamrocks started this game strongly with an Eoin Reid goal after two and a half minutes following a long range pass from David Hoyne. Points from Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid propelled their side into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after six minutes, as Rathdowney/Errill simply had no answer to an eager Shamrocks attack in the opening minutes. It took Rathdowney/Errill ten minutes to get their first point, with centre-half-forward Eoin Holohan slotting over an excellent effort from play. However Shamrocks' dominated once more to hold a six-point lead in the 20th minute, but Rathdowney/Errill stayed in touch thanks to a Jason Phelan goal eight minutes before the break. But this was a false dawn as Ballyhale tagged on seven points without reply before the interval to hold a 1-13 to 1-3 interval lead, with Henry Shefflin scoring six points at this stage, while TJ Reid raised the white flag on five occasions. Rathdowney/Errill failed to give up on the restart and really gave a strong account of themselves, with Brian Campion scoring four second half points, three within the opening eight minutes to cut the gap to seven points. Although the gap was reduced to six points with five minutes remaining Ballyhale finished strongly to secure victory. Clonlara's first venture into Munster SHC Club championship action ended on a mute note, just a week after they captured their first Clare SHC in 89 years; after an impressive 0-26 to 0-10 win for Sarsfields of Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Sarsfields controlled this game from the start but just three points separated the sides in the 29th minute with Donal Madden keeping his side in touch as they trailed by 0-10 to 0-7. However Sarsfields were most industrious in injury-time and opened up a double-scored lead by the interval as points from Michael Cussen, Michael O'Driscoll, Padraig Ryan and Kieran 'Fraggy' Murphy ensured a seven-point interval advantage. Midfielder Ryan was Sarsfields most dangerous player and he registered 13 points in a game which saw his side firmly on top throughout. Clonlara were outscored by 0-6 to 0-1 on the restart, with Madden contributing his sides lone score during that spell. Sarsfields continued to tag on scores with Clonlara's woes further compounded when Domhnall O'Donovan was sent off following a second yellow card in the closing 30 minutes. The Clare champions gave their utmost, but this was a game which Sarsfields weren't to be denied victory in as they closed out the contest to finish deserving 16-point victors. A double whammy of silverware came Portumna's way at Pearse Stadium on Sunday as back-to-back Galway SHC successes thanks to a 1-18 to 2-7 win over Gort also earned Johnny Kelly's charges the Connacht title. Portumna may have powered to a convincing eight-point win but this battle for the Tom Callanan Cup was keenly contested especially in the opening half with the sides level at the interval. An Ollie Fahy goal ensured Gort, who were chasing a first success since 1983; started brightly after Fahy doubled on a long ball in - giving his side an early 1-1 to 0-0 advantage. But a brace of Joe Canning points and further Portumna scores from Leo Smith and Damien Hayes quickly levelled the contest. Both sides had their purple patches in this game with All-Star and 'Young Player of the Year' Canning continuing to show why he is one of the top rated forwards throughout the country. Portumna pressed hard before the interval and led by 0-10 to 1-4 as the half-time break approached, but a goal hungry Gort took a second 'major' with Gerry Quinn blasting a close range free past six Portumna players to the back of the net. Quinn's goal was the equalising score at the interval but Gort only managed three second half points as Portumna gave an impressive display on the restart. Andrew Smith was on target for Portumna's only goal of the game in the 36th minute, and with Gort having no answer to Damien Hayes and Canning the Portumna attack continued to eat at the heart of the Gort defence with Joe Canning finishing with ten points, as his side booked an All-Ireland semi-final spot. A 1-13 to 1-8 victory for St. Martin's ensured they upset the form book by taking a first Wexford SHC success since 1999 at Wexford Park on Sunday and their second overall victory following this win over Oulart the Ballagh. The reigning champions were chasing a fourth title success in five years but were undone by a determined St. Martin's outfit who showed great hunger to hold out for victory. Kevin Ryan's charges simply marooned Oulart's hopes as Martin's pressed all the right buttons to carve out this victory, with Ciarán Lyng's quick dash from Australia following his International Rules exploits working out as he joined his club colleagues to celebrate this success. Playing against the wind in the opening half, St. Martin's were nervous early on and hit three quick wides but points from Eoin Quigley and Diarmuid 'Gizzy' Lyng (2) ensured a 0-3 to 0-1 lead midway through the first half, with Nickey Kirwan taking Oulart's lone score. With momentum firmly with St. Martin's at this stage it didn't take long for them to produce a goal. Philip Murphy burst through the heart of the Oulart defence to kick to ball to the net, advancing past defender Barry Kehoe to propel his side into a 1-3 to 0-2 lead. Martin's simply lorded possession during the opening half amassing six wides by the 19th minute with a Diarmuid Lyng converted 65' opening up a five-point gap. Oulart then had a goal chance with Rory Jacob sending the ball in towards a crowded goalmouth where he picked out Nickey Kirwan. However Kirwan fell to the ground and with St. Martin's defending strongly, Oulart would have to wait until the second half for their goal, with Martin's building up an eight-point gap. Oulart piled on strong pressure in the second half, but it wasn't enough as Martin's held out for their second ever Wexford SHC success with Daithi Hayes lifting the cup after the game. Tweet

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