Arguably the finest selection of GAA nicknames we’ve come across yet.
Only twice in the history of the All-Ireland club hurling championship has a club from Ulster been declared champions and on both of those occasions, the title was claimed by the great Loughgiel club from Antrim.
Having won the Ulster senior hurling title for the first time last year, Portaferry are seeking to make history once again in 2015.
Kilmallock of Limerick stand in their way of making the final on St. Patrick’s Day and in the lead-up to that mouth-watering encounter, we touched base with Portaferry midfielder Conor Mageean to let us in on some dressing room secrets.
Spotlight on Portaferry
Club: Portaferry
Club colours: Blue and yellow
Year established: 1912 as Carraigh Uladh, 1948 as Portaferry
Estimated size of population covered by parish: 2,750
Proudest moment in the club’s history: Winning the Ulster Senior Hurling title in 2014, the first time ever after eight attempts.
Most loyal/fanatical supporter: All our supporters are great. Awwww.
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Best nickname: There’s plenty of nicknames on our team – The Blinker, The Cat, Ricky Dog – but I think Aaron O’Prey wins this one for being called ‘Big Neil’ from the Inbetweeners.
Not only is he his double but I would nearly say Neil is a bit smarter!
Most likely player to be found on Tinder: I’m sure a few boyos have been doing a bit of Tinder-swiping (probably not being too fussy either) but I would have to say that’s likely to be our team stud Jason Gilmore. He fancies himself as a bit of a ladies’ man.
Captain John Convery celebrates after Portaferry’s Ulster title win
Most likely player to break a beer ban: Aaron O’Prey again. The man just loves his soup.
Player dressing themselves like it’s 1999: We’re all very well-dressed on our team. I suppose our skipper BA (John Convery) will get a mention here. He arrives to training dressed to impress, then trains in Ireland and Celtic jerseys from the ‘90s!
Team-mate you wouldn’t like to meet down a dark alley: Peter Mason. I’ll not go into the reasons why but going on some of his latest Facebook statuses, not many people would like to meet him in a dark alley!
Sample: “You’re a different gravy.”
Biggest shaper on the pitch: Owen Taggart. Hence why he never starts!
Oldest player to have ever played for the club: The Buck (Paul Rogers). Only hung up the boots at the age of 41. Should have been ten years earlier!
Best ‘Junior B’ story involving your club: Haha, a certain junior manager arrived to the championship final in Downpatrick late, with beer and champagne, but the same man forgot the water bottles, team sheets and first-aid box.
I won’t mention any names but what were you at Freddy?!
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