Portaferry hold on for first Ulster title

2 February 2022

PORTAFERRY became the fourth Down team to collect the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship over its 20 year history as they hung on for a single point victory against holders Eglish in Tullylish on Saturday.

They follow on from Liatroim Fontenoys (2004, 2005 and 2013), Clonduff (2014, 2018 and 2019) and Ballycran (2012).

Indeed Liatroim’s first two and Clonduff’s middle successes were converted into All-Ireland titles and that will be the next goal in a dream season for Portaferry, who only won their first ever Down title back in November. Eglish had the much better start and led by 1-4 to 0-3 at the first water-break.

However, it was Portaferry’s spurt during the second quarter that put them in command of the game and they were able to maintain that gap throughout the second half and into the final few minutes before Eglish closed it to a single point.

With two quality free-takers on show and a referee who awarded plenty of frees, it was always going to come down to small margins.

Niamh Mallon missed little for the winners while two late Ciara Donnelly efforts (the first from away out on the right side-line and then from distance) both pulled to the left of the posts in a difficult breeze. If either had gone over we were set for another 20 minutes of intense action. Donnelly was on target early in the game and shot four points in the opening quarter.

However, the key score was a free from her sister Leanne that was touched to the net by Niamh McNulty for the first goal that Portaferry had conceded in five games.

Despite this, the first-time Down champions knuckled down and quickly hauled in the four points’ lead Eglish took to the water-break.

Niamh Mallon added her fourth free before Frances Toner was taken down in the 20th minute by Laura Mason for a penalty. Julie Lagan brilliantly saved Mallon’s shot, but it wasn’t fully cleared and Mallon won herself a free that she converted.

Lagan also saved another pile-driver from Mallon a few minutes later before an injury time goal from Mia Fitzsimons sent the Down side in with a lead of 1-9 to 1-4.

With the breeze behind them, Eglish set about eating into the lead. Donnelly pointed a couple of frees during the third quarter. However the Portaferry defence, with extra cover coming from Saoirse Sands and Mia Fitzsimons, held firm while Mallon added two points

inside 60 seconds around the 40 minute mark.

It was 1-11 to 1-6 at the second water-break and Mallon pointed a free on the resumption of play. Portaferry looked to be on their way to the winners enclosure.

However, a penalty awarded for a trip on Niamh McNulty was converted by Donnelly in the 52nd minute and suddenly it was game on again.

Donnelly pointed a free to close the gap to two points a minute later before a long free from Mallon fell for Saoirse Sands to point in the 59th minute. There was still time for Eglish to win four frees, two of which Donnelly managed to convert before time ran out on them and Portaferry took their title.

Portaferry: F McGarry, C Coleman (capt), A Mallon, MJ Mageean, C Finnegan, D Coleman, C McKenna, E Gallagher (0-1), N Savage, C McConnell, S Sands (0-1), E McGrattan, M Fitzsimons (1-0), N Mallon (0-11, 0-9f), F Toner.

Subs: C Coleman for C McConnell (35), G McGrattan for E McGrattan (54).

Eglish: J Lagan, F Farley, C Muldoon, A Donnelly, L Mason, A Jordan, C Jordan, C Gallagher, C McGready, K Gallagher, L Donnelly (capt), C Goodfellow, S Kelly, C Donnelly (1-9, 1-0 pen, 8f), N McNulty (1-0).

Subs: A Barrett for C Goodfellow (37), R Fay for F Farley (39), G Daly for L Mason (53).

Referee: EP Mullan (Derry).

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder