PORTAFERRY cruised into the Down SHC final with a 20-point victory over Ballygalget in Ballycran on Saturday evening.
The opening exchanges were even on the pitch but not on the scoreboard. Ballygalget played with the help of a slight breeze but shot several careless wides, while Paul Braniff eased Portaferry into a three-point lead.
Danny Toner scored Ballygalget's first point, while Conor Mageean sliced through from midfield to maintain the Portaferry advantage.
The Portaferry half-back line were dominant but a determined Declan McManus drove 50 yards through the defence and skilfully fired to the net.
With 15 minutes gone the gap was reduced to a single point but there was no panic from Portaferry.
The Portaferry dominance was reflected in yellow cards for Ballygalget corner-backs Mark Fisher and Peter McManus who were struggling to keep tabs on Sands and Mageean. Paul Braniff continued to punish any indiscretions and Portaferry eased to a 0 - 13 to 1 - 4 half-time lead.
Things got even worse for the Mitchel's in the second half as Portaferry put the foot down.
Ballygalget were reduced to 14 men when Stephen Clarke was sent off and Robert Magee and Aaron O'Prey found the net for Portaferry.
SCORERS
Portaferry: P Braniff (0- 11), A O'Prey, R Magee (1-1 each), C Mageean, E Sands (0-3 each),
S Mageean (0-2), M Conlan (0-1).
Ballygalget: D Toner (0-5), D McManus (1-0),
J McManus, P Coulter, C Bailie (0-1 each).