Ballygalget 0-16 Portaferry 0-11

Ballygalget won their way through to meet Ballycran in this years final of the Democrat Media Hurling Championship after they defeated Portaferry on Sunday. In a tough and physical encounter Portaferry started the better. They were 0-2 to 0-1 up after 5 minutes. With Eoin Clarke’s 4 close range frees and a fantastic 80 metre free from Gareth Johnston Ballygalget were 0-6 to 0-2 up after 15 minutes.

Ballygalget lost their star keeper and long poc specialist Graham Clarke with a dislocated shoulder after he received a heavy challenge on the edge of the square. He was replaced by Kieran Taggart near the end of the first quarter.

Portaferry then got four points of their own, the best of which was a free from their keeper Carl Keating which he pointed from well inside his own half.

A kicked point from Gareth Johnston and a few more Eoin Clarke frees left Ballygalget in the lead by 0-10 to 0-7 at half time The introduction of Barry Coulter after the break brought fresh legs and yet more experience to the Ballygalget attack. Whilst he won little clean ball he fought for everything and in doing so bustled Portaferry’s midfield and half backline out of the match.

After 20 minutes of the second half no team had scored from play. Ballygalget had scored 5 frees and Portaferry 2 including another monster from their keeper Keating. A few substitutions for both sides saw Portaferry gain supremacy in possession they didn’t translate it to scores. They came close though when an attempt at a long range point which dropped short was superbly tipped round the post by substitute keeper Taggart.

Ballygalget ran out 5 point winners and progress to the final. They should worry though about the fact that they only scored 3 points from play and they could be playing the final with out Down, Ulster and last years Ireland keeper Graham Clarke.