Sarsfields defeated Portumna 4-22 to 0-18 in Group 3 of the Galway Senior Hurling Championship at Kenny Park on Sunday afternoon.
One of the major talking points was the sending off of both Joe and Jack Canning with just under 10 minutes of normal time to play.
Joe Canning, who is Jack's uncle, was sent-off in the 51st minute with the referee believing that he had interfered with the helmet of Sarsfields fullback Kevin Hynes.
With the sparse crowd in Athenry, Canning could be heard shouting, "I didn't pull the helmet off him" as the referee was about to produce the card.
Canning had been booked seven minutes earlier but seemed to be shown a straight red by the referee.
Cárta dearg bronnta ar Joe Canning @portumnagaa @GAA_BEO @Galway_GAA #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/LWBmEsYIGy
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 26, 2020
Less than a minute later, Portumna were reduced to 13 players when Jack Canning was also sent off for the same offence. He appeared to rip open the chin strap on Ian Skehill's helmet.
Portumna were trailing by a goal when Joe Canning was sent-off. Sarsfield ran out 16 point winners.
Portumna have games against Castlegar and St Thomas' remaining in the group.
Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Sarsfields v Portumna in Round 1 of the Galway Senior Hurling Championship here on GAANOW!
Full-Time Score:
Sarsfields: 4-22
Portumna: 0-18 pic.twitter.com/W9P8yhjGgS— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 26, 2020
Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
