Intermediate
Championship Sunday 3rd August
08 at Downpatrick: Portaferry
3-10 v Bredagh 1-08
Portaferry advanced to a semi
final meeting in the Down Intermediate
Championship with Newry Shamrocks
after a well merited 8 point victory
over Belfast side Bredagh. Played
in rain soaked Thomas Russell
Park the Ports started fastest
out of the traps with early scores
from Paul 'Dule' Braniff, who
returned to championship action
after year long cruciate trouble,
and Robert Magee. With Eamon Adair
and Paul Smyth who when moved
into the half back line sweeping
up all the breaks Portaferry were
never in any danger. Bredagh with
Danny Hughes at centre back ably
supported by Paul Kelly in midfield
and full forward Ian Galway who
finished with 1-4 kept within
touching distance throughout the
first period.
Veteran Noel Sands opened the
Ports second half account with
a blistering point and Bredagh
replied with a fortuitous goal
from Galway which looked ominously
a square ball to reduce the arrears
to 5 points. Portaferry responded
with potent live wire Nigel Kelly
on song helping himself to a goal
and a point whilst Braniff was
deadly accurate from the placed
ball to ensure the Ports marched
on into the next round.
This game as a contest despite
the wet conditions was an entertaining
encounter with Portaferry just
that bit sharper in their stick
work. Bredagh though played their
part in particular from the 3
Hughes Danny, Cormac and Donal
whist the injury to full back
Michael White did their cause
no favours. Ian Galway led from
the front but Portaferry were
sound in defence with Sean Young
and in particular Paul Smyth was
outstanding. Braniff coupled with
Nigel Kelly and Robert Magee up
front provided the bulk of their
scores.
Man of the Match: Paul Smyth:
Portaferry
