Ballygalget
put title on line against Portaferry
Taken from thedownrecorder.com
BALLYGALGET
put their senior county hurling title
on the line when they meet old adversaries
Portaferry in Sunday’s SHC final
at McKenna Park, Ballycran (4pm).
This is a repeat of last year’s
final which took two games before
Ballygalget put paid to Portaferry’s
dreams of a fourth title in a row.
It was away back in 1926 that a team
from Portaferry called Carrig Uladh
won their first title beating Leitrim
by 7-4 to 2-0.
Since then the McVeagh Cup has returned
to the town on 16 occasions.
After winning again in 1929 and 1938
there were lean years in both the
1940s and 1950s with no titles until
1963 when they beat Ballygalget by
4-2 to 4-1.
It has been all uphill after this
and as they picked up another 13 titles
with success following success, culminating
in their three in a row between 2000
and 2002.
Ballygalget Mitchels won their first
crown in 1964 beating Ballycran by
2-8 to 4-0 and have won the title
12 times since, including three in
a row between 1997 and 1999.
This is the 14th final meeting between
the clubs with Ballygalget being successful
on five occasions.
An interesting fact is that will be
their ninth final meeting since 1996
with each side having four wins each.
In fact, two of their last four meetings
have gone to replays with Ballygalget
winning both.
So it all adds up to what should be
a titanic struggle.
Portaferry have been far from happy
with the moving of the original final
date of September 16 to this Sunday
deeming that several players had arranged
holidays based on the original date.
Nevertheless, I expect them to be
at full strength for this game in
which they will be all out to avenge
last year’s defeat and regain
the title.
In the semi-final in Downpatrick Ballygalget
had an easy passage against a depleted
Down Junior side winning by 5-23 to
0-7. They looked good. They were sound
in defence, dominated midfield and
scored freely in attack.
Stiffer
Portaferry had a much stiffer passage
against a youthful Ballycran side.
Three goals in the opening quarter
set up Portaferry and when they scored
a fourth prior to half-time the game
was as good as over. They eventually
ran out winners by 4-11 to 2-9.
Both sides play attractive attacking
hurling and are laced with county
players who have this year shown great
skills, courage and commitment. Ballygalget
are a well balanced side. In defence
goalkeeper Graham Clarke is the best
netminder in Ulster.
In front of him Emmett Dorrian and
Liam Clarke are great full backs.
However, it is the half back line
of Tom and Paul Coulter and Gabriel
Clarke that shone against the Down
Juniors in the semi final.
Midfield should be a great battle.
Paddy Monan and county U-21 captain
Aaron Dynes should have a great tussle
with the senior county pairing of
Andy Savage and Gerard Adair.
The Ballygalget attack plays well
as an attacking unit. Barry Coulter,
Johnny McGrattan and Martin Clarke
have the experience while Stephen
and Eoin Clarke as well as Darren
Flynn are a youthful trio.
Portaferry are a more experienced
side. However, the loss of star player
Paul Braniff is a serious blow, but
the rest of the side have geared themselves
up to overcome his loss and they are
determined to succeed for his sake.
In defence Stephen Murray, Barry Coleman
and Barry Milligan are an experienced
trio who give away few chances while
Eamon Adair, veteran Martin Mallon
and U-21 star Ciaran Coulter complete
a solid looking defence.
In attack Portaferry will be looking
to top displays from former All-Star
Gerard McGrattan, Emmett Trainor and
John Convery in a strong half forward
line while in the last line of attack
veteran Noel Sands and Paul Rodgers
are score getters.
It is always dangerous to predict
the outcome of a Down Senior Hurling
Championship final. This game does
not make that any easier.
Ballygalget are champions and will
be keen to hold on to their crown
while Portaferry like their opponents
will have one eye on the Ulster club
SHC. The outcome will hinge on who
wins the midfield battle.
Indeed, it could well take a second
game again to decide the champions.
