THE GALWAY SENIOR hurling championship will resume this weekend after Turloughmore have been thrown out and four-time All-Ireland club winners Portumna have been reinstated.

Joe Canning's Portumna are back in while Daithi Burke's Turloughmore are out. INPHO INPHO

The saga has dragged on since Turloughmore’s group stage win over Portumna in June and a dispute over the eligibility of their player Jamie Holland, who was bound for the United States.

Turloughmore, who have All-Star Daithi Burke in their ranks, finished ahead of Portumna, the club of Galway star Joe Canning, in Group 2 to qualify for the preliminary quarter-final stage.

But having had the points from their victory in June deducted, Portumna subsequently moved ahead of Turloughmore in the standings.

Portumna players celebrating their 2014 All-Ireland club final win. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Turloughmore’s appeal in Tullamore last night to the DRA was dismissed with a statement issued to Galway Bay FM Sport explaining the outcome.

“At a DRA hearing in Tullamore this evening (Mon) the Turloughmore appeal, against the decision of the Connacht Hearings Committee, was dismissed.

“The DRA ruled that all avenues of appeal, as stipulated in rule, were not exhausted and this is a mandatory requirement before bringing a Request for Arbitration to the DRA.

“The matter is closed now and the Galway SHC Fixtures shall proceed this weekend.”

Turloughmore expressed their disappointment with the decision in a statement.

Galway hurler Sean Loftus (left) is from the Turloughmore club. Oisin Keniry / INPHO Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO

“Turloughmore GAA are deeply disappointed that we did not get a chance to present our case at the DRA last night, which was ruled out on a technicality.

“We were denied the opportunity to defend our outstanding young hurler and our senior hurling team who have been caught up in this saga since last June.

“Two separate CCC’s set up in Galway, heard our evidence and ruled in our favour.

“Hence our disappointment in not getting the opportunity to present our case to the higher authority namely the DRA.

“We are satisfied that Turloughmore GAA acted in good faith at all times and are deeply saddened by this outcome.”

Former Galway player Fergal Moore is part of the Turloughmore ranks. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

The preliminary quarter-final fixtures have been now been slated for next weekend.

Saturday 14 October

• St Thomas v Killimordaly, Kenny Park, Athenry, 2.30pm
• Portumna v Castlegar, Kenny Park, Athenry, 4pm

Sunday 15 October

• Tommy Larkins v Clarinbridge, Kenny Park, Athenry, 1pm
• Cappataggle v Kilnadeema-Leitrim, Kenny Park, Athenry, 2.30pm

Liam Mellows, Craughwell, Sarsfields and Gort have all booked places in the quarter-finals already.

Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:

Multi All-Star winner confirmed as part of Donegal’s coaching team for next season

Ratified! DJ Carey named as Kilkenny’s new U21 hurling manager