Ballygalget
Win County Final - 18/10/2003
SHC Final Replay: Ballygalget..............0-17
Portaferry..............1-10
Taken
From Down Reporter Website
Ballygalget are the new kingpins of Down
hurling. They produced a stunning display on Sunday to prevent all-conquering
Portaferry from grabbing their fourth senior hurling championship with an inspired
performance at McKenna Park in Ballycran. A brilliant second half display against
a strong breeze blew away the defending champions in this scintillating SHC final
replay. Portaferry simply had no answer to the guile, commitment, determination
and hurling skills of the new champions. This was without doubt the best hurling
final for many years. There was passion, pride and commitment with the team work
of both sides outstanding as they produced scores to maintain the excitement at
fever pitch.
Ballygalget showed all their attacking flair and their superior
finishing power was enough to thwart four-in-a-row seeking Portaferry.
This was a day for expert free takers and both sides had their marksmen; Johnny
McGrattan slotted over 10 of the Ballygalget points, while Paul Braniff was on
the mark with eight for Portaferry.
Graham Clarke was sound in the Ballygalget
goals and had no chance with the shot which beat him, while the half backline
of Tom Coulter, Gabriel Clarke and Michael Pucci, along with full back, Emmett
Dorrian, and the tigerish tackling of Liam Clarke and U-21 star, Seamus Roddy,
was too much for a Portaferry attack that started briskly, but failed to maintain
its momentum with John Convery, Paul Braniff and Noel Sands being the only dangers.
Ballygalget's Paddy Monan led his side by example, while Barry Coulter,
Brendan Gallagher and Gareth Johnson shaded midfield against Peter Mallon and
Andrew Savage. Johnny McGrattan was in brilliant form in attack. Stephen and Eoin
Clarke and Martin Coulter starred in a lively Ballygalget attack that, despite
the best efforts of Stephen Murray, Martin Mallon, Gerard Adair and Barry Milligan,
managed to get through for vital scores.
Paul Braniff shot Portaferry
ahead within 30 seconds, but Monan levelled from a free in the second minute.
John Convery took a Milligan pass to send to the net after four minutes to regain
the Portaferry lead and a Braniff point increased the lead before McGrattan burst
onto the scoring scene.
Three pointed frees and one from a Monan sideline
cut had the sides level with six minutes of the half remaining. Twice the accurate
Braniff pointed Portaferry frees but a McGrattan point and a rasping Clarke shot,
which was tipped over the bar by 'keeper, Gary Smyth, left the sides level at
half time. Portaferry 1-5. Ballygalget 0-8. Whatever Ballygalget manager, Gerard
Monan and his helpers said to their team at half time, it worked. Despite facing
the breeze, the side resumed in an attacking mood with Coulter pointing a long
range free for a lead they never again lost. The brilliant Coulter then cut a
sideline ball over the bar. Twice McGrattan and Braniff exchanged points as did
Murray with a great long range effort and Martin Coulter.
With seven
minutes left there was still two points between the sides before a Barry Coulter
point and two from McGrattan left the winners five ahead. Ballygalget were in
control and Portaferry were struggling. Paul Braniff pointed a Portaferry free
in injury time, but Ballygalget deservedly held out for victory. It was an emotional
Ballygalget captain who received the new Jerimah McVeagh Cup from county chairman,
Eamon O'Toole, who congratulated the winners and paid tribute to outgoing champions
Portaferry for a wonderful game of hurling. Matt Fitzpatrick then presented the
Down Recorder player of the match award to Ballygalget's tenacious half back,
Tom Coulter, who last won the award 10 years ago when he was on the losing Ballycran
side.
Ballygalget
Graham Clarke; L. Clarke, E. Dorrian, S. Roddy;
T. Coulter (0-2), Gabriel Clarke, M. Pucci; G. Johnson, P. Monan (0-2); B. Coulter
(0-1), B. Gallagher, E. Clarke; M. Coulter (0-1), J. McGrattan (0-10), S. Clarke
(0-1).
Portaferry: G. Smyth; E. Adair, S. Murray (0-1), M. Mallon; G.
Adair, B. Coleman, B. Milligan (0-1); P. Mallon, A. Savage; P. Rodgers, G. McGrattan,
J. Convery (1-0); E. Trainor, P. Braniff (0-8), N. Sands. Sub: P. Milligan for
E. Trainor.
