Proud Ports are back at the top

Proud Ports are back at the top

3 October 2012

A THREE-GOAL blitz early in the second half set up Portaferry for victory over holders Ballycran in the Morgan Milk SHC final at Mitchel Park, Ballygalget.

In a tame game, which at times produced some good hurling, it was the more direct play of the winners that saw them end their six-year absence from the top table.

During the second half they outscored Ballycran by 3-3 to 0-6 with those goals being the decisive scores

Ballycran had the better of the first half exchanges and led by three points at half-time.

Portaferry certainly deserved their victory. Throughout the hour they used the ball with great effect and their passing and finishing certainly was most impressive.

Indeed, their winning margin would have been greater, but three times they were denied further goals by the brilliance of Stephen Keith in the Ballycran nets.

One tip over the bar from a blistering shot by Aaron O’Prey was one of the highlights of the second half.

The star player for Portaferry was corner forward Eoghan Sands. His two goals immediately after half-time set up his side for victory and throughout the hour he contributed most in attack and rightly received the man of the match award.

Along with Paul Braniff and John Convery they kept the Ballycran defence busy throughout. In a disappointing Ballycran side defenders Paddy Hughes, Sean Ennis and Andy Bell worked hard with Conor Woods best at midfield.

In a disappointing attack Scott Nicholson was most accurate from frees and along with Michael Ennis they carried the most threat to the Portaferry defence.

Ballycran led by 0-6 to 0-3 midway through the first half with Scott Nicholson scoring four points from frees. Paul Braniff was the Portaferry scorer. Two further Nicholson frees increased their losers lead, but Paul Braniff and Conor O’Prey with points for the winners left half-time Ballycran 0-8 Portaferry 0-5.

The second half had a real blistering start. Within 30 seconds Paul Braniff set up Eoghan Sands for a goal and three minutes later midfielder Fergal Rogers found the net to give Portaferry a lead they never again lost.

With nine minutes gone Eoghan Sands finished a goalmouth scramble with a goal and the winners were really buzzing. Scott Nicholson with three pointed frees kept Ballycran in touch, but Eoghan Sands, Aaron O’Prey and Paul Braniff gave the winners a seven point lead.

Scott Nicholson had two late points for Ballycran, but Portaferry easily held out for victory. The only real piece of excitement came four minutes into added time at the end of the game when Ballycran corner back Michael Hughes was shown a red card.

Portaferry: K. Keating, P. Smith, C. O’Neill, N. White, M. Conlon, C. Coulter (capt), C. O’Prey (0-1), A. Savage, F. Rogers (1-0), A. O’Prey (0-1), J. Convery, N. Kelly, C. Mageean, P. Braniff (0-5, 0-4 frees), E. Sands (2-1). Subs: B. Coleman for Kelly, S. Murray for Rogers.

Ballycran: S. Keith, M. Hughes, P. Flynn, S. Ennis, S. Wilson, P. Hughes, A. Bell, P. Keith, C. Woods (0-2), S. Nicholson (0-8 frees), M. Ennis (0-1), A. Clarke, C. Dorrian, C. Flynn, J. Coyle (0-1). Subs: E. Gilmore for C. Flynn, N. Torney for Dorrian, C. Egan for Clarke

Referee: P. Braniff (Ballygalget).

Portaferry 3-8

Ballycran 0-12

DOWN SHC FINAL