Colum Thompson previews USHC v Portaferry
At the start of 2014 there would have been few hurling people predicting an Ulster Final of Ruairi Og Cushendall V St. Patrick’s Portaferry. However Ruairi Og shocked reigning Antrim andUlster champions Loughgiel in the Antrim quarter final and similarly Portaferry caused a stir by defeating hot favourites Ballycran in the Down Final. Both teams have a nice blend of youth and experience Cushendall’s old hands Karl Mc Keegan and Sean Delargy are still key as are John Convery and Paul Branniff for the Ards men. Ruairi Og’s youthful exuberance is provided by Ryan Mc Cambridge, Paddy Burke and Eoghan Campbell with young guns Peter Mason, Mathew Conlon and Eoin Sands giving Portaferry fresh impetuous.
At the start of 2014 there would have been few hurling people predicting an Ulster Final of Ruairi Og Cushendall V St. Patrick’s Portaferry. However Ruairi Og shocked reigning Antrim and
The key battle will undoubtedly be the Ruairi Og defence against the Portaferry forwards. Paul Branniff is one of the top forwards ever produced in
County
Down , similarly Arron Graffin could well be the best defender Antrim has to offer. The two may pick each other up and the winner of this battle could well provide the inspiration for their team to go on and win the game. Another intriguing contest will be Portaferry centre back and Captain John Convery against Cushendall target man Conor Carson. Two huge, physically imposing men who I expect to produce fireworks to rival any Halloween display.
Portaferry qualified for the final with a comfortable nine point victory over Fermanagh’s Lisbelaw. In contrast Cushendall needed a replay to dispose of
Derry champions Slaughtneil. These tougher matches may well stand to Ruairi Og and I expect them to claim The Four Seasons Cup, but only after a titanic struggle.