Mayo club battles through to All-Ireland hurling final
Tooreen battled their way to a famous 1-18 to 1-14 victory over Down opponents Liatroim Fontenoys to claim a place in the AIB All-Ireland club intermediate hurling championship final.
The final, to be played on January 14/15, will see the east Mayo club face Limerick and Munster champions Monaleen, who dispatched Bray Emmets in their semi-final this afternoon.
Tooreen were full value for their victory over their Ulster opponents, though they had to withstand a late comeback from the Down men at a chilly Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan this afternoon.
“We're delighted to get over the line,” said a jubilant Fergal Boland after the hour's battle.
He added: “It means everything to the club. Look at the people who came up here today – they don't want to get off the field! It's one of the best days for this special club and I'm just delighted.”
Boland, who got better and better as the game progressed, had a strong supporting cast around him too. Cathal Freeman helped Tooreen get off to the perfect start with a goal in the fourth minute, adding to his earlier point to put Liatroim on the backfoot from the off.
By half-time the Mayo men still had that four-point lead that Freeman had given them at the start, leading by 1-8 to 0-7, and a strong end to the third quarter and start to the fourth appeared to have Tooreen well set for the road to Croke Park.
With five minutes of regualtion time remaining they were nine points to the good (1-17 to 0-11) but a goal out of nothing from the Fontenoys' Seán Duggan gave the Ulster champions a lifeline.
Buoyed by that score, they tacked on three points in the successesion – all frees scored by their most impressive performer, Pearse Óg McCrickard – to leave just a goal between the sides.
A late free by Seán Kenny was the insurance score that Tooreen needed and their victory was confirmed moments later, and a fully merited win it was too as they withstood the ferocious physical challenge that Liatroim posed and hurled their way into the All-Ireland final.
Tooreen: Bobby Douglas; Conor Henry, Michael Morley, Oisín Greally; Joe Boyle, Stephen Coyne, David Kenny; Seán Kenny (0-5f), Daniel Huane; Liam Lavin (0-2), Fergal Boland (0-4), Brian Morley; Seán Regan (0-1), Cathal Freeman (1-2), Eoin Delaney (0-4).
Subs used: John Cassidy, David Harrison, Gary Nolan, Stephen Lenehan.
Liatroim Fontenoys: Miceal McCartan; Ronan McCrickard, Oisín Duggan, Robert O'Hare; Cormac Lynch, William McCartan, Pearse Davidson; Ruairí McCrickard, Conor McCrickard (0-1); Paddy Joe McComiskey, P.J. Davidson, Pearse Óg McCrickard (0-11, 9f); Tiarnan Murphy (0-2), Jarlath McAleenan, Seán Duggan (1-0).
Subs used: Daniel McCann, Matthew Leneghan, Brendan McKey (blood), Anthony Laverty.
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).