Portaferry snatch Draw in County Final 11/10/2003
Down Senior
Hurling Final: Portaferry 1-09 Ballygalget 1-09
Taken from Down Recorder
Holders Portaferry had to
come from behind to snatch a draw with old rivals Ballygalget in this thrilling
Down centenary Senior Hurling Championship final at Newcastle.
The match
was played in difficult conditions - a slippery pitch and a strong cross field
breeze - and as a result it never reached any great heights, though the marking
was close and the exchanges keen as the sides fought for supremacy.
Portaferry,
going for four titles in a row, were never able to stamp their authority on the
game. Ballygalget worked hard throughout and fully deserve another chance. This
was not a day for the niceties of hurling. Those early football followers who
crammed into stand to shelter from the driving rain saw a game of pride and passion
with neither side willing to give an inch.
Good scoring chances were
created - and missed - by both sides in a showdown that kept the crowd in an excited
mood throughout.
The Portaferry defence was sound with Stephen Murray
outstanding at full back. The half back line of Gerard Adair, Barry Coleman and,
in particular, Barry Milligan shone throughout with Milligan striking some brilliant
long range frees.
Midfield was a battle royal with Peter Mallon and Andrew
Savage having a great tussle with Paddy Monan and Gareth Johnson, who was the
star of the game.
Up front Portaferry relied on the accuracy of Paul
Braniff and the hard work of Gerard McGrattan and Noel Sands to keep them in the
game.
Graham Clarke was as reliable as ever in the Ballygalget goal and
his long puck outs were a great assistance to his side. In front of him Liam Clarke,
Tom Coulter and Gabriel Clarke played well throughout.
An early facial
injury to full back Paul Coulter was serious blow to the team, but Emmett Dorrian,
who is still recovering from a hernia operation, went in at full back and emerged
as the side's star defender.
Highlights
Up front Johnny McGrattan
was in brilliant form, assisted by Eoin and Stephen Clarke. Martin Coulter in
the right corner was not as commanding as usual., though his tussles with Portaferry
veteran Martin Mallon were one of the highlights of the game.
The sides
were level at 0-2 each after ten minutes with Gerard McGrattan and Paul Braniff
scoring for Portaferry and Johnny McGrattan and Stephen Clarke replying for Ballygalget.
Noel Sands, Gerard McGrattan and Paul Braniff shot the holders ahead
before Tom Coulter pointed a Ballygalget 65.
Ten minutes from half time
came the Portaferry goal. As Ballygalget full back Paul Coulter attempted to back
pass to his keeper Paul Braniff nipped in to shoot to the net. Five minutes later
Ballygalget secured their goal when a long Martin Coulter free was flicked to
the Portaferry net by Gareth Johnson to leave a half time score of Portaferry
1-5 Ballygalget 1-3.
Twice in the opening ten minutes of the second half
points were exchanged before Ballygalget made their big effort which resulted
in two Johnny McGrattan frees to leave the sides level with ten minutes left.
Emmett Dorrian, who had replaced the injured Paul Coulter at full back
for Ballygalget midway through the first half, was in commanding form as were
Gabriel Clarke and Tom Coulter in repelling Portaferry attacks.
Three
minutes from time Johnny McGrattan pointed to give Ballygalget the lead, but their
dreams of dethroning the champions were shattered a minute later with Paul Braniff's
levelling point.
The replay is next Sunday at McKenna Park, Ballycran,
with a 4pm throw-in.
Portaferry: G. Smith; E. Adair, S. Murray, M. Mallon;
G. Adair, B. Coleman, B. Milligan; P. Mallon, A. Savage; P. Rodgers, G. McGrattan
(0-2), J. Convery; E. Trainor, P. Braniff (1-6), N. Sands (0-1).
Ballygalget:
Graham Clarke; L. Clarke, P. Coulter, S. Roddy; T. Coulter (0-2), Gabriel Clarke,
M. Pucci; G. Johnson (1-0), P. Monan; B. Coulter, B. Gallagher, E. Clarke; M.
Coulter, J. McGrattan (0-6) , S. Clarke (0-1).
Sub: E. Dorrian for P. Coulter.
Referee: H. P. McCusker (Ballela).
