Saturday 11th October 2008: Down Minor Hurling Championship Final at Kilclief:
Portaferry 2-14 v Ballycran 1-11

Portaferry annexed the George Mc Keown Cup for the first time since 1999 in a pulsating encounter with their local rivals Ballycran. This game had everything excitement, wonderful skill and drama right up until the final whistle. Ballycran started the strongest with Conor Dorrian getting early points from play and the placed ball. Portaferry responded with Michael Doran and a wonderful individual effort from the impressive wing half forward Matthew Conlan to level up matters. Ballycran tagged on further points from Kevin Coyle but Portaferry responded with Brendan Coleman to leave the half time score 8 points to 6 in the black and amber's favour.

The second half started out with 2 further points for the Crans one a fine effort from Kevin Mc Gourty to stretch their lead to 4 points. Portaferry then drew first blood with full forward Brendan Coleman rifling the sloithar past Glen Acheson in the Ballycran goal. They tagged on further points from Shane Conlan and the irrepressible Michael Doran to lead for the first time. Ballycran wouldn't lie down and a blistering goal from corner forward Donal Ennis swung the pendulum back in the Crans favour. Portaferry then hit a purple patch with Conor Mageean totally dominant at centre forward supplying good ball to the the full forward line and Shane Conlan sweeping up all the loose ball in the half back line. The Ports scored a second goal and added points one an absolute monster effort from Eunan Mc Mullan and Aaron O Prey to take command. The icing on the cake was a gem of a point from midfielder Michael Doran who showed all his class and pace to solo some 40 yards to rifle the sloithar over the bar to seal the final nail in the Crans coffin.

I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that this was the best Minor Hurling final seen a decade and for that huge credit has to go to both teams. For Ballycran Conor Dorrian had a great opening 20 minutes whilst Ryan O Flynn and Michael Taylor impressed. For the Ports Fergal Rodgers at full back was impervious whilst Eoin Dumigan belied his youthful years. Shane Conlan gave a masterful second half performance at wing half back whilst Michael Doran showed true class from start to finish. Conor Mageean at centre forward totally nullified Michael Hughes whilst Matthew Conlan, Ryan Miskelly and Brendan Coleman were the pick of the forwards. For Portaferry they have ended the monopoly of Ballycran's 6 in a row and now go onto represent their Club and County in the Ulster Club Series held in Ballinascreen. Man of the Match was a toss up between Shane Conlan and Michael Doran and as i couldn't separate either the award is shared between both.

Man of the Match: Michael Doran and Shane Conlan: Shared: Portaferry

Referee; Ned Morgan

The Portaferry team was as following:

1 Paddy Mc Nally, 2 Eoin Dumigan, 3 Fergal Rodgers, 4 Conor Young, 5 Neil White, 6 John Merron, 7 Shane Conlan, 8 Michael Doran, 9 Aaron O Prey, 10 Ryan Miskelly, 11 Conor Mageean Captain, 12 Matthew Conlan, 13 Eunan Mc Mullan, 14 Brendan Coleman, 15 JJ Mc Auley

Subs: 16 Shea Mc Mullan for 15 JJ Mc Auley, 17 Chris Collins for 9 Aaron O Prey

The Ballycran team was as following:

1 Glen Acheson, 2 Eoin Fitzgerald, 3 David Gilmore, 4 Brett Nicholson, 5 Daniel Hughes, 6 Michael Hughes, 7 Michael Taylor, 8 Ryan O Flynn, 9 Paul Mc Gourty, 10 Kevin Mc Gourty, 11 Kevin Coyle, 12 Conor Dorrian, 13 Michael Mc Cullagh, 14 Neil Torney, 15 Donal Ennis