Ulster Senior Hurling Championship - Semi-Final
Dunloy 2-14
Portaferry 1-25
At the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

Portaferry produced a powerful second-half display to book their place in the Ulster Senior Hurling final, stunning the Antrim champions Dunloy by eight points in an entertaining semi-final encounter.

The Down champions laid the foundations for their victory in a high-scoring opening half, taking a three score advantage into the break before maintaining their scoring threat after the restart to pull clear of their opponents.

Dunloy had threatened to make a game of it during the opening period, with goals from Keelan Molloy and Conal Cunning helping them stay in touch, but Portaferry's greater consistency in front of the posts ultimately proved decisive.

Eoghan Sands opened the scoring for Portaferry before adding another shortly afterwards, while Dunloy responded through Chrissy McMahon.

However, Tom McGrattan quickly established himself as a major influence, landing a superb effort from the wing before adding a series of frees as the Down champions began to take control. His ability to find the target from distance and punish Dunloy's indiscretions would prove a major factor throughout the afternoon.

Finn Turpin also found his range with a couple of excellent efforts as Portaferry built their advantage, but Dunloy struck back when Keelan Molloy found the net in somewhat scrappy fashion to bring the home side back into contention.

The response continued when Molloy pointed a free before Conal Cunning found the net to give Dunloy a significant lift. The Antrim champions had suddenly turned the contest on its head, but Portaferry refused to panic.

Turpin restored their advantage with a fine score before Seaan Elliott brought the sides level.

Daithí Sands edged Portaferry back in front, with Cunning responding from a free, but the Down champions finished the half strongly.

Turpin and Sands added further scores before McGrattan landed a magnificent long-range effort to ensure Portaferry went in at the interval holding a three-point advantage over the Cuchullains men.

The battle between McGrattan and Cunning was already developing into one of the afternoon's main features, with both players taking responsibility for their respective sides.

Cunning would eventually finish with an impressive 1-9, while McGrattan's contribution of 1-7 underlined the influence he had on the Portaferry attack.

Dunloy needed a strong start to the second half and Cunning and substitute Eoin O'Neill both obliged with important scores as they attempted to close the gap.

Turpin continued to provide answers for Portaferry, however, while Coleman struck an excellent effort to keep the Down side in control.

O'Neill replied with another fine score for Dunloy before Cunning converted a free to leave just two points between the sides. The Cuchullains were showing plenty of determination and continued to threaten a comeback, with Cunning's accuracy from placed balls providing a reliable route back into the contest.

The Antrim champions continued to battle, with Cunning's accuracy from placed balls bringing them within striking distance, but Eoghan Sands produced another important score to settle Portaferry.

There was little to separate the teams in terms of attacking ambition, but Portaferry were beginning to make their experience count. They continued to find scores whenever Dunloy threatened to build momentum, with Turpin, Sands and Coleman all contributing to a balanced forward display.

The decisive moment arrived in the 55th minute when a speculative effort from Tom McGrattan, which initially appeared to fall short, somehow managed to slip underneath goalkeeper Ryan Elliott and trickle into the net.

It was a fortunate goal, but a hugely significant one, giving Portaferry breathing space at a crucial stage of the contest. Having worked so hard to stay within touching distance, Dunloy were suddenly facing a much more difficult task.

Murray followed with a tremendous score before McGrattan added another free to stretch the advantage. Ronan Blair then produced a superb strike before Niall Fitzsimmons added another point to put eight between the sides.

The closing stages belonged to the Down champions, who demonstrated their ability to manage the game and punish Dunloy whenever an opportunity presented itself.

Dunloy had shown plenty of attacking quality, particularly through Molloy and Cunning, but Portaferry's scoring power and ability to respond whenever the Antrim champions threatened ensured they remained firmly in control.

For Portaferry, this was another significant step in their pursuit of provincial honours. Having dominated Down hurling in recent seasons, they have now given themselves the opportunity to translate that domestic success onto the Ulster stage.

The sorrows in Ulster continue for Antrim, with Cushendun also exiting earlier in the day after losing to Keady following a penalty shootout.

Dunloy's defeat means there will be no Antrim representation in the provincial finals, leaving Portaferry to carry the Down challenge into the decider with Slaughtneil.

Portaferry XV: Pearce Smyth; Darragh Mallon, Barry Trainor, Caolan Taggart; Callum Smyth, Matthew Conlan, Ciaran Milligan; Tom Murray, Shane Conlan; Finn Turpin, Daithi Sands, Cahal Coleman; Eoghan Sands, Niall Mulligan, Tom McGrattan

Subs: Ronan Blair on for Niall Milligan (HT), Niall Fitzsimmons on for Shane Conlon (HT)

Scorers for Portaferry: Tom McGrattan 1-7 (5F), Finn Turpin 0-6, Daithi Sands 0-3, Cahal Coleman 0-2, Tom Murray 0-2, Eoghan Sands 0-2, Callum Smyth 0-1, Ronan Blair 0-1, Niall Fitzsimmons 0-1

Dunloy XV: Ryan Elliot; Aaron Crawford, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Eoin McFerran, Aodhan McGarry; Nicky McKeague, Seaan Elliot; Nigel Elliot, Conal Cunning, Luke McFerran; Ciarán Elliot, Keelan Molloy, Chrissy McMahon

Subs: Eoin O’Neill on for Ciarán Elliot (36’); Paul Shiels on for Eamon Smyth (57’), Tom McFerran on for Nicky McKeague (52’)

Scorers for Dunloy: Conal Cunning 1-9 (9F), Keelan Molloy 1-0, Chrissy McMahon 0-2, Eoin O’Neill 0-2, Seaan Elliot 0-1