Portaferry in decider again

Portaferry in decider again

9 October 2024

THREE second half goals from Ballycran couldn’t save them from a nine-point defeat in Portaferry as the home side stayed on course for a third successive title.

The pair have met in the last six deciders with no more than a couple of points between them, but there was no doubting Portaferry’s superiority on Sunday.

Late goals from Paul Sheehan (57 minutes) and Conor Woods (61) coming far too late to change the outcome for the visitors.

Portaferry’s dominance started from the back where Pearse Smyth was able to fire poc-outs with pin-point accuracy to an attack that was constantly on the move and creating space for the inside forwards.

Tom McGrattan was excellent and finished with an impressive 1-12, of which only 1-5 came from placed balls. The Sands brothers, Finn Turpin and Niall Milligan were also a huge threat and Ballycran’s defence was stretched for most of the game.

Helped by a McGrattan goal from a 15th minute penalty, Portaferry pulled away to lead by 1-14 to 0-9 at the break. Almost all of the front six as well as midfielder and captain Matthew Conlan were on the score-sheet.

Portaferry added three points to their half-time lead before substitute Ayrton Gleeson pounced on a long free from Conor Woods that ped short in the 36th minute. 

That goal mattered little, however, as Portaferry went ten points clear at 1-22 to 1-12 by the midway point of the half.

The goals from Sheehan and veteran Conor Woods from a penalty in added time were mere consolation scores as the Ports signalled that three-in-a-row is very much on their minds.

Portaferry: P Smyth, D Mallon, T Murray, R Smyth, B Trainor, C Taggart (0-2), C Milligan, M Conlan (capt, 0-1), S Conlan, N Fitzsimons (0-1), F Turpin (0-3), E Sands (0-2), D Sands (0-6), T McGrattan (1-12, 1-0 pen, 5 frees), N Milligan (0-4).

Subs: P Doran for N Fitzsimons, C Doran for M Conlan.

Ballycran: S Keith (capt), B Watson, S Ennis, M Hughes, B Nicholson, C Woods (1-1, 1-0 pen), J Clarke, S McCarthy, P Savage (0-1), L Savage (0-1), C McAlister, P Sheehan (1-7, 0-5 frees), N Breen (0-1), S Nicholson (0-2), C Egan.

Subs: A Gleeson (1-0) for S McCarthy, E Bell for M Hughes, B Arthurs for C McAlister.