O'Prey eager to maintain Portaferry's high standards 

By Cian O’Connell

Tradition counts for something. In Portaferry, 26 Down SHC titles have been accumulated.

Sport is high on the agenda. The cherished Ciara Mageean proudly represented Portaferry on the national, European, and World stages. Her greatness will always be fondly remembered.

A passion for hurling continues to be passed through the generations, while there is also an acknowledgement that this is a particularly exciting time. Five county titles on the spin illustrate Portaferry’s excellence at the level.

Connor O’Prey has made the transition from player to manager, maintaining that victorious streak. “There are a lot of guys playing now in the team that had fathers playing throughout the years winning Down championships,” O’Prey explains.

“I think we've four or five sets of brothers in the squad. Again, a lot of them had fathers that played together and won championships together.

“So, that tradition gets passed down through the club. You've ex-players coaching underage teams even if they don't have children involved in that specific age group. It's good to pass the knowledge down and keep the tradition going.”

O'Prey - in his first year as Portaferry senior manager, after replacing the totemic Gerard McGrattan - highlights the value of remaining on the summit in Down. “The first objective was to get back to the county final, to get yourself into the position to be able to carry on the run of winning the championship,” he responds.

“It brought its own subconscious pressure from a personal perspective. We've a great group of players there, we were very confident, that at a minimum we'd get back to a county final, providing preparations and stuff were right, that we'd be in a good position to carry on that trend.

“Thankfully, there was a lot of relief at the end of the game. At the minimum you're saying you're carrying on the tradition of winning the championship.”

Next up is an AIB Ulster Club SHC Semi-Final against Dunloy. Undoubtedly, a demanding assignment awaits, but club hurling in the winter brings a bit of joy. “You want to be training in the dark nights under the floodlights because you know all the work has been put in since January to October has been worth it,” O’Prey reflects.

“So, extending the season on by another eight or 10 weeks is definitely the aim and ambition at the start of any year for any group of players or any management set-up. It's great to be still meeting up at this time of the year. Hopefully, we will be extending that for a few weeks further.”

While hurling with Down and Portaferry, O’Prey commenced his coaching journey at a young age. “I'm someone that enjoys coaching,” O’Prey responds.

“Throughout my playing career, I was involved with several different underage teams within the club. Even, when I was playing senior, I took a dab at coaching and managing the senior camógs for a couple of years.

“Towards the end of my playing career, I was mixing playing, managing and coaching the Down U20 team. It's something I've always really enjoyed doing.

“It's helped with the transition from playing, that you're going straight into coaching and managing. There is no time to think about making the right decision stopping playing, it just keeps you busy.”

Analysing the game, trying to find solutions to problems, striving to become better is crucial for O’Prey. “I've always loved sport,” he says.

“I've always loved playing. From a young age, I've loved watching games and seeing them back, looking to see how a team has won or what a team has done not to play to their full potential and stuff. Even when I was playing, I'd have analysed my own game very heavily.

“I'd have looked at it from a team perspective; I was never shy about hiding my opinions during team meetings and things. Obviously, in a respectful manner. I played under some really good coaches and managers throughout my playing career.

“After matches and training, I'd have always picked their brains. I wouldn't say that there was any one person, Portaferry is full of great hurling people always willing to pass that bit of knowledge down.

“Over a number of years, especially throughout my playing career, I'd have taken advice on to make me better. You turn around then and get interested in the coaching side of things.”

During the past decade, Ronan Sheehan’s work with the Down senior team has been reflected with league promotions and encouraging championship campaigns. “Ronan has done a great job with the county,” O’Prey says.

“I played under Ronan in his first year, I then stepped aside after it. You knew there was great depth and quality in the squad, I was coming towards the end of my county career. So, it was an easy enough decision to step back.

“He has brought in a mentality that the boys have bought into, particularly in the first three or four years which brought success. They got back up to Division One, playing Joe McDonagh on a consistent basis and getting a settled team as best as possible has really helped that.

“Down are always cast with the team of the mid 90s, winning Ulster Championships and things. It's great the current group of players - while there might not be an Ulster Championship to play for - but they're competing well in the Joe McDonagh and playing Division One hurling. They're getting some big scalps.

“To put things into perspective, I don't think it's a co-incidence that Down beat Antrim twice in the space of a few weeks in the one season.

“I think that tells you where Down is at. They've been going in the right direction for a number of years, but the confidence within the group is building on a year-on-year basis. The results are starting to pay off.”

Is it any help for Portaferry going into the weekend’s tussle with Dunloy? “I don't think it has any bearing at all on a one off game,” O’Prey answers.

“Portaferry are heavily represented on the county team with maybe eight starters, and Eoghan Sands would've been a starter if he hadn't been injured. Dunloy have four or five on the Antrim team too. We're familiar enough with each other through the Antrim league anyway.

“We play in the same league competition, and we've played in challenge games during the summer. It mightn't have an impact on the one-off game, but it definitely should give confidence to the boys.

“We've played some of these players before and come out on top. In fairness, Portaferry has as good and as fit team as any squad in Ulster at the minute. It's just about playing to their full potential. Hopefully that happens.”