O’Neill’s ACHL Div.1 Final

Portaferry    5-17

Liatroim        1-29

Portaferry 6-5 win on penalties

For anyone who had the pleasure of being present in Paírc Esler on Wednesday night they’d have been thoroughly entertained. The game finally coughed up a winner at around 10 o’clock after close to two hours of hurling!

Portaferry started off in fine fashion, goals from Niall Fitzsimmons & Tom McGrattan gave the Ports’ a 0-12 to 2-9 lead with Oisín MacManus keeping Liatroim within touching distance with 7 first half frees.

The second half saw Liatroim receive a hammer blow, having fought their way back into the game with a Ruairí McCrickard penalty that gave them the lead for the first time in the contest, Portaferry pounced for two quick goals minutes later courtesy of Niall Milligan & a second Fitzsimmons before the 2^nd water break. Liatroim’s troubles were compounded when, trailing by five points, Referee Paddy Branagan dismissed Oisín Duggan. Liatroim had it all to do, but once more lifted their heads and outscored Portaferry seven points to two in the final nine minutes, sending the game to extra time with the sides locked at 1-23 to 4-16.

Extra time saw Liatroim once more take the lead as they dominated the first period to lead by 2 points. Liatroim edged closer to the winning line and held a three-point advantage, only for Tom McGrattan to pounce for the equaliser with less than a minute left.

In an unprecedented climax, the game was to be decided by penalties, five a piece, but in the true nature of this contest neither could be separated, both having score two each.

So once more the same five guys stepped up for round 2 and eventually it came down to the last penalty with Portaferry’s goalkeeper Peter Mason having a say in the outcome as the Ards men finally crossed the line as champions.

Portaferry captain Emmett O’Neill thanked Liatroim for such a close contest, before accepting the Walter Mooreland Memorial Cup from Down County Vice Chairperson Maureen O’Higgins.

2021 Down GAA Clubs Draw - August 2021 RESULTS –

Congratulations to the winners in the August Draw

Club Winners (£200 each)

• Annaclone: 21AE231 Declan Casey
• Bright: 21BT061 Bright GAC
• Glenn:  21GL034 Alice Quigg
• Portaferry: 21PY094 Hugh Patrick Mason

Prize Winners (Draw 6 - 5 x £1,000)

• 20BD021 Bryansford - Martin Valentine   
• 21BU198 Burren - Roisin McKernan
• 19AR047 An Riocht - Marie Trainor
• 21BU776 Burren - Armando Aguero
• 20BU441 Burren - Patrick Toman

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA were saddened to learn of the death of Isobel McGrattan, mother of Barry and Peter who were members of our County Minor Hurling Team Management this year, we also offer our sympathy to her son Johnny a former County player and to her daughters in law and her grandchildren.

To the Gaels of Ballygalget and Portaferry, we extend our condolences at this sad time.