Ulster Club SHC final: Cushendall 0-10 1-16 Portaferry

Eoghan Sands is a son of former Down hurling star Noel Sands

Down champions Portaferry shocked favourites Cushendall with a 1-16 to 0-10 victory at Owenbeg to secure their first ever Ulster club hurling title.

Paul Braniff was among the Portaferry scorers in the first half and they led 0-7 to 0-6 at the break despite playing into a stiff breeze.

John Convery set up Eoghan Sands to score the only goal as Portaferry pulled clear for a comfortable win.

Portaferry's success comes after eight defeats in the provincial decider.

Paul Braniff and Conor Mageean were on the scoresheet for Portaferry in the first half while Neil McManus posed the major threat for Cushendall.

Portaferry held a slender advantage at half-time but they surged clear with the wind on their backs after the break.

Sands was the star performer in the second half, with points from two sideline cuts to go his brilliant goal.

"After eight attempts it is a day we never thought we would see," said jubilant Portaferry captain John Convery.

"It's something we've been dreaming about and no-one gave us a chance going into the match.

"Everyone played brilliantly, we fought for each other and we came out with the right result in the end.

"We built and built this year, there was just a different feeling about what we could achieve."

Portaferry's victory sees up an All-Ireland semi-final appearance against the yet to be determined Munster champions in February.