Duggan Park, Ballinasloe was a sea of blue and gold on Saturday as Portumna captured the Galway Junior A Camogie Championship title, defeating Turloughmore on a scoreline of 0-17 to 0-9 to become county champions.
It was a richly deserved victory after two years of hard work, heartbreak and relentless dedication from this inspiring group of players and mentors.
A performance to Remember
Playing against a strong wind in the first half, Portumna showed composure and grit, with their precise passing and smart shot selection keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Once they established an early lead after 11 minutes, they never looked back.
Despite the blustery conditions, their accuracy and teamwork shone through – hallmarks of a side that has learned and grown together over the past few seasons.
Manager Johnny Kelly was full of pride after the final whistle, reflecting on what the win means for the club and community.
“Winning the Junior A final was a great day for all involved in Portumna Camogie,” he said. “The weather conditions were challenging with such strong winds. The girls deserve huge credit in terms of their preparations before both the semi-final and the final.”
The victory was built on extraordinary commitment.
“To be successful it means travelling back to Portumna for training from all over the country. Girls came back when possible from Dublin, Limerick, Galway. Fiona Lohan actually came back from her studies in Poland for the last two games,” Kelly explained.
Overcoming the mental challenges of a county final was also key:
“It’s not easy to win finals themselves as nervousness can hinder performances, but thankfully they managed that psychological side of the game reasonably well also.”
After two demanding seasons of development and rebuilding, the sense of reward was clear.
“It’s been a tough two years of work but it’s all worth it when you see their happiness in the aftermath of the win. Hopefully, the current group will all keep training through the next few years and maybe we might get some others to return to the setup that couldn’t be involved this year.”
For Kelly, camogie’s benefits go far beyond silverware:
“Camogie and hurling are great in terms of health, fitness, social interaction and overall well-being. Getting involved or staying involved with both Portumna clubs has huge benefits, so hopefully this win provides the springboard for many happy games and occasions over the coming years.”
‘A Snapshot That Will Live Long in the Memory’
Club chairperson Shane Madden echoed those sentiments, describing the final as a hugely significant day for Portumna Camogie.
“Saturday was a really important day for the club. It was vital, I think, after losing last year’s final to get over the line this year,” Madden said. “Having beaten Turloughmore easily enough in the group stages there was an expectation that we would win. This led to a fairly tense atmosphere throughout the game, even though once we got ahead after 11 minutes we never surrendered that lead.”
The emotions at the final whistle captured what community sport is all about.
“The feeling at the end was relief but overall seeing Alannah Kelly surrounded by all the players raising that cup is a snapshot that will live long in the memory. Meeting all the supporters and especially our younger players to see the joy on their faces afterwards reminds you why you get involved and give your time.”
It’s been a remarkable year for the club, and there’s still more to come.
“The year isn’t quite over. The juniors have to now play a Connacht final also. Our U12 girls are in a cup final next Saturday afternoon. Overall 2025 has been fantastic for Portumna Camogie. Roll on 2026!” Madden added.
Looking ahead
Kelly also paid tribute to the club’s strong underage structure and coaching team.
“There’s great work going on in the club at the underage level with coaches like Dean Cox, Leo Smith and Ivan Muldoon involved – top-class men helping to drive the standards and culture to a new level,” he said.
“A number of those underage players will be eligible next year and a few more will come on stream in the following years. It bodes well for the future but Galway club camogie is probably the strongest of all the counties in Ireland, so it will take everyone’s best efforts to keep our club competitive.”
Portumna’s attention now turns to the Connacht Junior Final, scheduled for the weekend of November 22nd/23rd, where they’ll face the winner of the Mayo–Roscommon semi-final.
Whatever happens next, Saturday’s win at Duggan Park will go down as a defining moment in the club’s proud history – a testament to commitment, community, and the unbreakable spirit of Portumna Camogie.
Thank you
A huge thank you to the community of Portumna for the outpouring of support and love that was extended to the team. The town looked incredible with the flags waving proudly and the houses bedecked in blue and gold.
A special word of thanks to the following for their generosity:
- Olivia Muldoon at Supermacs Portumna for sponsoring a meal for the players
- Portumna Rugby Club for their donation
- Gate Lodge B&B for their donation
- Maeve Moran for her continued support and guidance for our Junior A girls, plus a donation and decorations
- Eoin Lynch and all at D Lynch & Sons Portumna for their donation
- Yvonne O’Meara and all at SuperValu Portumna for their donation
- Eoin Fahy at An Caislean for the sponsorship of tops
- Emer Madden, Sinead Keane and Maura O’Brien for dinner
- Eugene and all at McEntee Family Butcher for their donation
- The Hurling Hub, who donated socks to each player
- The Boathouse Bar for their donation
- Curleys Bar for their donation
- Chris Spann from CS Catering for the donation