Portaferry book final place 08/09/2003
Down Senior Hurling
Semi Final: Portaferry 4-18 Ballycran 4-5
Portaferry
ensured their place in the final of the Down SHC when they bagged three goals
inside a minute in the closing stages of the first half to give them unassailable
lead over old rivals Ballycran in this semi-final played at Mitchell Park, Ballygalget.
It took a piece of magic by the Portaferry full-forward, Paul Braniff
to set this game alight when he netted two goals in the space of thirty seconds.
The first from a free and the second after a magnificent solo run. He was also
involved in the third when he set up Noel Sands to give his side a 3-11 to 0-2
half time lead.
Portaferry had the man of the match in Paul Braniff who
amassed a personal tally of 3-13. The defending champions had too much firepower
up front for the overstretched Ballycran defence. Paul Braniff was in devastating
form and was ably assisted by Emmet Trainor and Gerard McGrattan.
While
Portaferry ensured another final placing, their mentors will not be happy with
the poor performance of their defence who leaked four goals.
The game
opened with Paul Braniff notching over three points which were answered by Ballycran's
Simon Wilson with two frees, their only scores of the first half. Ballycran looked
to be adrift of proceedings in the second half with the game moving fast out of
their reach when substitute, Andrew Bell had two goals in the space of three minutes
followed by another from Peter Braniff to give his side some hope.
This
was short lived however, as a third goal from Paul Braniff a minute from time
ensured that Portaferry were set for the final. Simon Wilson had the last say,
a goal from a Ballycran free right on the final whistle.
PORTAFERRY:
G. Smith, E. Adiar, S. Murray, M. Mallon, G. Adair, B. Coleman, B. Milligan, P.
Mallon, A. Savage, P. Rodgers (0-1), G. McGrattan (0-2), J. Convery, E. Trainor,
P. Braniff (3-13), N. Sands (1-0).
BALLYCRAN: S. Masterson, P. Brennan,
N. Gordon, P. Hughes, S. McAree, G. Savage, J. H. Hughes, T. Masterson, J. Caughey,
J. Doherty, S. Wilson (1-4), G. Gordon, C. Arthurs (0-1), M. Braniff. Subs: A.
Bell (2-0) for P. Hughes, P. Braniff for J. Caughey, D. O'Prey for J. Doherty,
P. Gilmore for T. Masterson.
Referee: H. P. McCuskery (Ballela).
