Portaferry finally shake off Ballycran for victory

Portaferry finally shake off Ballycran for victory

25 October 2023

PORTAFERRY secured Senior Hurling Championship honours after an energy-zapping battle with Ballycran went right down to the wire at Páirc Esler on Sunday.

This was the definition of a back and forth contest as the final result was anyone’s guess right up until stoppage time.

In fact, Ballycran led by the half-time whistle, marginally in front at 0-8 to 0-7, but still no one could have predicted for sure how this fierce rivalry would play out this time around.

The sides were meeting for a sixth final in-a-row and both have became accustomed to the big stage in Newry. The Ports claimed victory last year to nab the title back from the ‘Cran following their extra-time win in 2021.

The recent history between the two is evidence that the winner was simply going to be who wanted it more on the day and indeed the holders laid down their marker early with Matt Conlan, Tom McGrattan, Daithí Sands and Finn Turpin finding their range within the opening seven minutes.

Ballycran’s Chris Egan, who was fantastic on the day, got his side up and running and although his team were guilty of a few misplaced shots, they also nearly found a major at the other end.

A Portaferry mix up between Darragh Mallon and goalkeeper Pearce Smyth almost ended in a calamitous error but they avoided leaking a goal at the expense of a ’65.

The experienced Paul Sheehan stepped up to slot over as expected before Scott Nicholson further bridged the gap with a well-taken free.

Points continued to come at a steady pace from both ends with Portaferry’s McGrattan knocking over a brace and team-mate Paudie Doran converting a free, whilst Sheehan and Stuart Martin did damage at the other end.

Ballycran midfielder Phelim Savage then struck twice consecutively before the half-time whistle to edge his team out in front at the break.

The second half continued to teeter both ways, with Eoghan Sands regaining the lead for Portaferry before further points from Matt Conlan and Daithí Sands gave them something to hold on to.

However, as per the theme of this titanic tussle, Ballycran found a way back into the contest with points from Conor Woods before that man Sheehan fired over two frees on the trot to go in front.

From this stage, the teams went point for point right up until the four minutes of injury time was announced.

Last-gasp points from Tom Murray and Tom McGrattan knocked the wind out of Ballycran before the Ports landed their 20th point to ensure they captured their 22nd senior title.

Ballycran: S Keith; J Clarke, S Ennis, G Hughes; B Nicholson, L Savage, C McAllister; M Hughes (0-1), P Savage (0-2); B Arthurs, C Woods (0-3, 1f), P Sheehan (0-4, 2f, 1 '65); S Nicholson (0-1), S Martin (0-4), C Egan (0-1)

Subs: N Breen for Ennis (38), E Bell for Nicholson (44), B Watson for Clarke (50), J Coyle for Egan (52), A Gleeson for Sheehan (56).

Portaferry: P Smyth; D Mallon, T Murray (0-1), R Smyth; B Trainor (0-1), C Taggart, C Savage; M Conlan (0-2), S Conlan; P Conlan (0-2f), F Turpin (0-2), E Sands (0-4, 1f); T McGrattan (0-4), N Milligan, D Sands (0-4).

Subs: C O’Neill for Mallon (H-T), N Fitzsimmons for P Conlon (49), C Fay for Milligan (50), C O’Prey for Savage (60+1).

Referee: Peter Owens (Liatroim).