Red-hot McGrattan helps Portaferry power to third Down championship in a row

In the group stages Ballygalget showed that they were worthy opponents as they sealed a first county final spot since 2017. But Portaferry were too strong on the day in windy conditions.

Sun, 20 Oct, 2024 - 18:01

Elaine Ingram

Down SHC Final: Ballygalget 2-14 Portaferry 3-21

They were the bookies favourites to make it three-in-a-row Down Senior Hurling Championship titles and Portaferry did just that with a first-half blitz of scores that sent them on their way to a 10-point victory over Ballygalget on Sunday at Pairc Esler.

In the group stages Ballygalget showed that they were worthy opponents and up for a fight when they beat Portaferry narrowly to win the group. That more than earned them the right to meet the Jeremiah McVeigh Cup holders again in the final — their first since 2017. But Portaferry were too strong on the day in windy conditions.

It was nip and tuck in the first quarter with the howling wind favouring Portaferry in the first half, but the second quarter saw the reigning champions pull away, with a barrage of scores that sent them into a 3-10 to 1-5 half-time lead.

Tim Prenter, a late sub in the starting 15 for Ballygalget opened the scoring with a well-taken point in the first minute. Tom McGrattan replied with a free and the sides were level at two-apiece with traded frees from McGrattan and Marc Fisher.

All changed on 16 minutes though when Portaferry keeper Pearce Smyth drilled the sliothar from his goalmouth to the opposite end where Eoghan Sands was on hand to fire into the net. Traded points from Finn Turpin and Shea Pucci followed but that preceded a lethal 10 minute spell by Portaferry who hit 1-4 before their opponents could find a a response.

The second goal was provided by the other Sands brother Daithi on 25 minutes giving Portaferry a 2-8 to 0-3 lead. Ballygalget stemmed the tide momentarily with a couple of points but their Ards rivals bettered that with a point and a goal from top scorer and Man-of-the Match McGrattan to make it 3-9 to 0-5.

Ballygalget had no intention of throwing in the towel however, as Marc Fisher pulled a goal back before the break and they scored the first four points of the second half and then a goal from Oisin Coulter, with the wind now at their back, restoring hope to their travelling supporters.

That reduced Portaferry's lead to five 3-11 to 2-9 10 minutes into the second period, but they soon regained control and held their opponents to just five more scores while hitting nine of their own to emerge worthy winners.

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)

Ballygalgat: 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)

Referee: Peter Owens (Liatroim)