Tooreen defeat Roscommon champions to book London semi-final spot

Tooreen .............................. 0-17

Athleague (Roscommon) ....1-9

 

MAYO champions Tooreen advanced to the semi-final of the Connaught intermediate club championship following their five-point victory over Roscommon champions Athleague in the quarterfinal played in Athleague today. 

This victory means the east Mayo side will have to travel to Ruislip in London to play St. Gabriels (London) in the Connaught semi-final. This game is down for decision on Saturday, November 9, at 1 p.m.

Tooreen, the reigning Connaught champions, had to pull out all the stops in the end before seeing off the Roscommon champions.

Indeed, the Tooreen supporters were getting more than a little anxious as this game entered the final moments.

With less than three minutes of normal time remaining they found themselves just a point in front after Athleague, who were five points down, had hit back with a goal and a point.

However, the Mayo champions finished strongly where they scored four unanswered points to carve out a deserved victory.

For Tooreen it was lucky that their ace marksman Shane Boland was in brilliant form, both from frees and play, as he ended the game with a total of 12 points, many of which were delightful efforts.

For most of the game Tooreen dominated but were very wasteful when it came to taking their scoring chances. In all they ended the game with a total of 19 wides, 10 in the opening half, and were lucky not to rue these missed chances.

With Tooreen missing plenty of chances it left Athleague very much in the game throughout. Indeed, the home side were never headed until the first minute of the second half after the sides had gone in level at 0-7 each for the interval break. Tooreen's scores in the opening came came from Shane Boland (four) and three from Sean Kenny.

Although Tooreen were dominating the second half they could never build up a winning lead due to their poor shooting.

Yet, Shane Boland did keep the scoreboard ticking and his team in front with eight great second-half points, three of which came in the closing moments which helped his side advance to the Connaught semi-final.

Tooreen: S. Lenehan, A. Henry, M. Morley, P. Delaney, S. Morley, S. Coyne, C. Henry, C. Freeman, D. Kenny, B. Morley (0-1), F. Boland (0-1), D. Huane, S. Kenny (0-3), S. Boland (0-12), J. Ganley.

Subs used: E. Delaney, D. Harrison.

Athleague: D. Connell, A. Moore, D.Delaney, JP Murray, N. Connolly, G. Fallon, P.Nolan, D. Heavey, A. Lyons, C. Kelly, E. Coyle, E. Flanagan (0-7), D. Flaherty (0-1), R.Fallon, B. McGahon (0-1).

Subs used: C. Murray (1-0), C. Lavin.

Referee: K. Collins (Galway).