Three in a row for Ports

Three in a row for Ports

23 October 2024

PORTAFERRY entered the Down Senior Hurling Championship final seeking to make it three titles on the bounce – a feat they last achieved from 2000 to 2002.

They stepped out on to the Pairc Esler pitching knowing that in order to the job done, they would have to overcome worth opponents in the form of Ards rivals Ballygalget, a side that pushed them all the way in the group stages. 

Despite the best efforts of their underdog opponents and Storm Ashley to throw a spanner in the works, Portaferry and their star man, Tom McGrattan, proved too strong on the day.

There was a cagey start to the game, with the two sides reluctant to show their hands prematurely and each grabbing two points in an opening quarter of an hour that may have fooled some into thinking this would be a dull affair.

In fact, it was anything but as he tightly contested nature would be short lived and with Portaferry sensing opportunities, they began to flex their muscles with a superiority that became evident when Eoghan Sands fired home for the opening goal as he met the end of a fantastic long-range pass from his goalkeeper.

They did not stand back admiring their early efforts either and an onslaught of scores soon followed. This time it was the other Sands brother, Daithi, with a goal, quickly followed by McGrattan with one of his own as they raced into a 3-10 to 0-5 lead.

Marc Fisher clawed a goal back on the stroke of half-time as Ballygalget showed their fighting spirit, but they still had a mountain to climb.

They certainly gave it their all and came out all guns blazing in the second half.

They stunned their rivals with the first four points of the half followed by a Oisin Coulter goal as they cut the deficit down to just five points (3-11 to 2-9) and gave Portaferry something to think about.

Time was always going to be against them however, and with the minutes ticking away, Portaferry showed why they were the reigning champions as they shut up shop and kept their opponents at bay, conceding just five points for the remainder of the game whilst hitting the sliotar over the bar a further nine times.

Ballygalget: E Clarke; M Toner, C Watson, J Smyth; C Coulter, J McManus, B Teggart; C Coulter, O McDermott; M Fisher, S Pucci, O Coulter; D Toner, M Og Dorrian, T Prenter

Subs: E Pucci for O Coulter (43), P McManus for Teggart (51), O Birt for C Coulter (54). 

Portaferry: P Smyth; D Mallon, T Murray, R Smyth; B Trainor, C Taggart, C Milligan; M Conlan, S Conlan; N Fitzsimmons, F Turpin, E Sands; D Sands, T McGrattan, N Milligan

Subs: L Morgan for N Milligan (42), C Fay for Fitzsimmons (53), C Savage for C Milligan (60).

Scorers for Ballygalget: T Prenter (0-1), M Fisher (1-4, 4f), S Pucci (0-2), O McDermott (0-2), O Coulter (1-1), B Teggart (0-1), E Pucci (0-1), D Toner (0-1), Cathal Coulter (0-1,f).

Scorers for Portaferry: D Sands (1-5), E Sands (1-1), T McGrattan (1-12, 8f), F Turpin (0-1), B Trainor (0-1), N Fitzsimmons (0-1). 

Referee: Peter Owens (Liatroim)