Dramatic late scores hand win to Ballycran

3 October 2018

A SENSATIONAL goal and a point in added time from Conor Woods enabled Ballycran to pinch the Jeremiah McVeagh Cup from under Portaferry’s noses at Mitchel Park, Ballygalget, on Sunday afternoon.

Portaferry had seized the initiative in the 20th minute when they took a 0-6 to 0-5 lead — a lead they increased to seven points by the 41st minute. Someone failed to read the to Ballycran and they slowly reeled Portaferry in.

However, they still trailed 1-14 to 1-11 going into added time, but a point from Gerard Hughes breathed new life into their challenge and Woods delivered the dramatic coup de grace with a stunning strike from a free and he then finished the job off with a point from play.

Colin Murray’s full time whistle was met with jubilation by celebrating Ballycran players and supporters who invaded the pitch to congratulate their heroes, while stunned Portaferry mentors couldn’t believe they had just lost the game.

Two Colm McManus frees gave Ballycran an early advantage before Matthew Conlon and Conor Mageean brought the sides level by the 12th minute.

A Cormac McAllister goal had Ballycran back in the driving seat, but Portaferry patiently hit back with consecutive points from Ronan Blair (0-4) and a Conor O’Prey 65’ to take a 0-7 to 1-2 lead.

Blair increased that lead to five points when he drilled in a cracking goal in the 23rd minute and this was followed by quick points from Eoghan Sands and Tom Murray as Portaferry went into the break with a commanding 1-9 to 1-2 lead.

Scott Nicholson and Blair twice swapped points before Nicholson and McManus left five points between the sides with 15 minutes remaining.

The accurate Blair and Woods swapped points before Liam Savage made it 1-12 to 1-8 with 10 minutes left.

The tension was rising the longer the game went on, but it was Ballycran who had the bit between their teeth and after Blair and Nicholson had exchanged points, James Coyle, Niall Fitzsimons and Gerard Hughes all grabbed points to leave two points between the sides deep into added time.

It was then that Woods swooped when he mercilessly drilled a 21m free to the net, despite Portaferry’s valiant efforts to keep the daisy cutter from hitting the back of the net.

Just to rub salt into the wounds, Woods added a point from play to give his side their first SHC title since 2015 and condemn Portaferry to their second consecutive championship final defeat, having lost out to Ballygalget last year by a singe point.

Ballycran: Stephen Keith, Michael Hughes, Barry Flynn, Sean Ennis, Michael Taylor, Patrick Hughes, Brett Nicholson, Scott Nicholson (0-2), Phelim Savage (0-1), Cormac McAllister (1-0), Conor Woods (1-3), Liam Savage (0-1), James Coyle (0-1), Colm McManus (0-4f), Niall Breen. Subs: Gerard Hughes for Breen, Andy Bell for Taylor, Declan Ennis for Keith.

Portaferry: Karol Keating, Neil White, Conor O’Neill, Darragh Mallon, Michael Conlon (0-1), Caolan Taggart, Conor O’Prey (0-1, 65), Conor Fay, Conor Mageean (0-1), Aaron O’Prey, Kevin McGarry, Barry Trainor, Ronan Blair (1-8, 8f), Eoghan Sands (0-1), Daithi Sands. Subs: Tom Murray (0-1) for Fay, Niall Fitzsimons (0-1) for Trainor, Paul Braniff for McGarry, Conor Fay for Aaron O’Prey.

Ballycran 2-13

Portaferry 1-14

MORGAN FUELS SHC FINAL

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