Ballygalget secured their 15th Down SHC title when they defeated near-neighbours Portaferry in the senior final played in the McKenna Park, Ballycran on Sunday 3rd October. The game was played in atrocious weather conditions with a gale force wind and heavy rain falling throughout the game. To the credit of both teams they did their best in very unlike hurling conditions and served up an interesting contest. In the end the greater accuracy and strength in depth of the Ballygalget side told and they went on to win the game on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-6. Ballygalget faced the elements in the opening half battled tremendously and at the break they were still very much in the game trailing by 1-3 to 0-5. During this half the team as a whole defended in numbers and never allowed the Portaferry side to get a real grip of the game. With the wind at their backs in the second-half the Ballygalget side went in search of scores. They took the lead by the seventh minute with points from Tom Coulter and Darren Flynn and at this stage seemed to be on for an impressive win. However, Portaferry had other ideas and they were not prepared to lie down. Ballygalget got that all important breakthrough with a goal from Martin Coulter in the 12th minute and this gave them the cushion to hold on for a deserved six points win at the end. Both teams deserve great credit for turning in such an exciting game in such terrible playing conditions. The question on many supporters lips at the end of the game is why do they have to play these county finals so late in the season, when the chances of a good day for playing hurling can be a lottery at times. It does nothing for the game to be playing in winter-like conditions and it is unfair to the players who put in so much effort and commitment in the quest for championship glory! Ballygalget - Graham Clarke; L. Clarke, E. Dorrian, S. Ruddy; T. Coulter 0-1, A. Dynes, Gabriel Clarke; P. Monan, D. Flynn 0-1; B. Coulter (capt.), Gareth Johnston 0-2, E. Clarke 0-1; M. Coulter 1-0, J. McGrattan 0-5 from frees, S. Clarke 0-2. Sub - M. Pucci for P.Monan. Portaferry - R. Murray; M. Mallon, S. Murray, E. Adair; C. Coulter, B. Coleman (capt.), B. Milligan 0-1; A. Savage 0-1, A. Adiar; J. Convery, G. McGrattan 0-2, B. Braniff; E. Trainor, Noel Sands 1-1, P. Rogers. Subs - P. Mallon 0-1 for G. McGrattan; J. Trainor for N. Sands; R. McGrattan for J. Convery. Referee - H. Torney from Ballycran. Tweet

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