Hurling & Camogie

Ballygalget can seal 'Cran rematch

THREAT...Cormac Coulter will be hoping to build on an impressive 2017 Pic Philip Walsh
THREAT...Cormac Coulter will be hoping to build on an impressive 2017 Pic Philip Walsh THREAT...Cormac Coulter will be hoping to build on an impressive 2017 Pic Philip Walsh

Down Senior Hurling Championship: Ballygalget v Portaferry (tomorrow, Ballycran, 3pm)

TWO into one can’t go so the Down Senior Hurling Championship is set to lose a big player as Portaferry and Ballygalget meet tomorrow for the right to face Ballycran in the final.

Year two of the new round-robin format is once again proving an entertaining affair and all will be on the line in the final game in Ballycran.

The ‘Cran, managed by Gary Savage and Michael Braniff, are through to the September 30 decider courtesy of a one-point win over holders Ballygalget and a more comfortable outing against Portaferry. That ensures that it is winner takes all tomorrow with extra-time required should the sides be level after the hour.

Ballygalget have a couple of injury concerns going into the game with Gareth Johnson and Declan McManus both attempting to prove their fitness.

They may have only lost out to Ballycran by a point two weeks ago, Conor Woods hitting them for two goals, but in reality they didn’t play anywhere near their potential.

Even if Johnson misses out, they do possess plenty of talent elsewhere with the versatile John McManus enjoying a good league campaign while youngster Tim Prenter is already making his mark on the squad. Danny Toner, Caolan Bailie and Cormac Coutler also add star quality to a talented looking forward line.

While Ballygalet may have been a bit below their best against Ballycran, Portaferry were miles off their top form as they lost out 1-15 to 0-11 to them last weekend.

Although the teams traded scores in the early stages, it some became apparent that Ballycran were looking much sharper all around.

Portaferry manager Noel Sands was without key forward Paul Braniff and they really missed his experience. They looked sluggish from the off and it took seven minutes for them to open their account when Ronan Blair pointed a free.

Blair’s free-taking would be their main source of scores on the night with Eoghan Sands and Aaron O’Prey also chipping in with a couple of points from play apiece.

They may also look to a couple of missed goal chances from Connor Fay, but they were half-chances at best in difficult conditions.

It goes without saying that both managers will be demanding much, much more in this do or die clash.

Like nearly every game in this competition over the last two seasons, it should go the distance but Ballygalget may just have to firepower up front to book another date with Ballycran.