Touch of Magic hits Portaferry

Touch of Magic hits Portaferry

2 October 2013

THE Jeremiah MacVeagh Cup will be resting in Ballygalget for the next 12 months after Gareth Johnson inspired his team-mates to derail the challenge of champions Portaferry.

Johnson was a class above throughout. His score taking and ability to find a team-mate with a pass was of the highest order.

Portaferry’s star man, Paul Braniff, missed the game because of injury and his absence meant that Portaferry were always going to be up against it.

With Braniff out of commission the hopes of the St. Patrick’s side rested on Kevin McGarry in the forward line, but he ploughed a lone furrow at times.

Ballygalget deployed their captain, Gabriel Clarke, as a sweeper and his presence was instrumental in keeping the Portaferry attack relatively quiet.

Portaferry started brightly and McGarry opened his account with a nice point. Moments later the scorer pinged a ball into the Ballygalget danger zone.

Ben Toner and Sean Mageean both rose to compete for it and after a deflection the ball trickled past net minder Graham Clarke and into the goal.

To heap further pressure on Ballygalget, McGarry pointed again to put his side five clear. It took Gareth Johnson to up the ante on seven minutes as he settled Ballygalget with their first point.

Johnson then went on a piercing run before finding Declan McManus who majored. All of a sudden Ballygalget were right back in the contest.

The following play was low on quality as both teams fought hard for possession.

Gareth Johnson, Kevin McGarry and Eoin Clarke all got amongst the scores as the teams drew level at 1-4 apiece on 25 minutes.

It was at this juncture that Ballygalget firmly took a grasp of the contest. Danny Toner finally managed to get himself on the scoresheet and Eoin Clarke added to this.

With four minutes injury time to be played at the end of the first half Declan McManus and a double from Danny Toner sent Ballygalget well on their way with Portaferry’s response coming from Kevin McGarry.

The start of the second half was eagerly anticipated with the large crowd expectant of a Portaferry comeback.

However, it was Declan McManus who was first to register on the score board for Ballygalget. Convery, Sands and McGarry did bag a point apiece for Portaferry to add a bit of momentum to their challenge.

Johnson raised his game once more and his probing increased confidence levels in his team-mates.

John McManus put over from a difficult angle and Johnson also minored. The score of the game arrived when Danny Toner fired over from distance after an intricate team move. With 13 minutes to go a Kevin McGarry chance ped into the hands of goalkeeper Clarke.

Clarke sent the sliothar long and his laser-guided pass went straight to the hand of Johnson. A quick turn and strike yielded another fantastic score.

It was looking increasingly like Ballygalget were going to take the spoils at this stage and despite the proficiency of Kevin McGarry from frees, the Ports never looked like getting another three-pointer.

Johnson displayed more evidence of his magic touch as he converted three late scores with Danny Toner also getting in on the act.

The Portaferry challenge wilted as Ballygalget finished strongly to lay claim to the top prize in Down hurling.

Ballygalget 1-18

Portaferry 1-11

DOWN SHC FINAL