Portaferry too hot for Ballycran

Both the Down SHC and SFC holders lost their titles at the weekend.

In the hurling decider Portaferry bridged a six-year gap by beating holders Ballycran 3-8 to 0-12 in the final in Ballygalget. In a low-key game, Ballycran, thanks to the accurate free taking of Scott Nicholson who scored 0-8 from frees, had the better of the first-half.

However, in a nine-minute spell at the start of the second-half, Ballycran were hit with a three-goal Portaferry salvo and the winners were in control. Star of the Portaferry attack was Eoghen Sands, whose father Noel is a former county and Ulster star and actually managed the Ferrymen to the title.