Portaferry have maintained their Mourne supremacy by the clinical manner in which they disposed of the challenge of Ballygalget in Sunday’s Down Senior Hurling Championship Final at Pairc Esler, Newry in winning by 3-21 to 2-15.
Even by the halfway stage, Portaferry had assured themselves of a hat-trick of titles and, indeed, their majestic scoring artistry underlined their poise and efficiency.
It was seasoned campaigner Tom McGrattan who led the way, and by half-time, he had totted up 1-02, while Eoghan Sands had chalked up a brace of goals.
In the second-half, McGrattan left an indelible mark on the match when he added 10 more points to his haul as the Ballygalget defence strove in vain to curb his influence.
Ballygalget’s rather feeble resistance was brushed aside by their opponents, but Marc Fisher did his best to inspire the side by landing 1-02, with Portaferry’s Daithi Sands sweeping over two points. It was no surprise, of course, that Portaferry led by 3-09 to 1-05 at the interval.
Cathal Coulter, Daniel Toner, Eoin Pucci and Tim Prenter came more to the fore for Ballygalget as the match progressed, with Prenter, who was always dangerous in possession, landing their third goal while Coulter snapped up two points.
But Portaferry held the whip hand throughout, and on this form, they could prove difficult to deal with in the forthcoming Ulster Club Championship.
Their consistency and scoring power have underlined their hunger, while in contrast, Ballygalget tried hard but were unable to match their opponents for pace or teamwork.
The Derry SHC Final between reigning champions Slaughtneil and Banagher was postponed because of Sunday’s inclement weather.
Meanwhile, Slaughtneil boss football boss Mark Doran has been added to Davy Burke’s management team in Roscommon.
The move effectively kills off rumours linking Doran with the managerial vacancy in Derry.
The former Down footballer, who has previous inter-county coaching experience with Clare, Wicklow and his native county, will join Eddie Lohan, Leo Tierney and Hugh Lynch on Burke’s Rossie ticket for 2025.