Ballycran successfully defended their Down SHC title thanks to a seven-point win over Portaferry in Ballygalget today.

In what was a repeat of last year’s decider, the holders bounced back from the set-back of conceding a goal in the first minute to register a 1-20 to 1-13 success.  Brendan Coleman put Portaferry ahead with a goal inside the first minute before Ballycran were reduced to 14 men when Colum McManus was shown a straight red card.

Ballycran got a goal of their through Stuart Martin on the strok eof half-time before Portaferry's Connor O'Prey received his marching orders after two yellow card offences.

Martin’s effort helped open up a 1-10 to 1-6 interval lead for the Padraig Flynn captained outfit and they outscored their opponents by 0-10 to 0-7 after the break to cement their status as the kings of Down hurling.

Down GAA Scor na nOg 2019 Date

East Down Semi Final: 15th and 17th November

East Down Final: 24th November

South Down Semi FInal: 8th, 9th and 10th November

South Down Qualifying Round: 16th November

South Down Final: 23rd November

Down County Final: 1st December