‘Mageean gave it everything. We must do the same’ – Sands

Portaferry hurler Daithi Sands says he and his team-mates will draw inspiration from the late Ciara Mageean as they prepare to face Dunloy in the Ulster Club Senior Hurling Championship semi-final. Mageean, a former European 1500m champion and Portaferry native, died aged 34, leaving a deep loss in the town and among the hurlers she had worked with.

Portaferry won a fifth consecutive Down title on 18 October, with Sands scoring four points, before Mageean died a fortnight later. The semi-final takes place in Armagh on Sunday, with a place in the 29 November final against Slaughtneil at stake. Portaferry have suffered close defeats in recent Ulster campaigns and are seeking their first provincial title since 2014.