Mayo champions Tooreen lose out on All-Ireland final spot
Tooreen's All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship quest came to an end on Saturday afternoon at Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore, where they were beaten by Cork and Munster kingpins Castlelyons by two points (1-12 to 0-13).
For large portions of the game Tooreen looked the better team but, aided by the only goal of the game, Castlelyons hit a purple patch at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and that proved the difference in the end.
The east Mayo men could and probably should have been more than two points ahead at half-time and again at the end of the third quarter, but Castlelyons clung to their coattails and struck the killer blow when the chance arose.
It was a very even first half, not just in terms of scores but with regard to wides as well. Tooreen had done a little better with the former, nailing seven to Castlelyons' five, while the wide count was equal – seven each.
But there were apparent differences too. The Tooreen players hassled and harried and hooked and blocked like men possessed, playing with an intensity that was ferocious. Castlelyons couldn't match them in that regard and in some ways they were hanging on thanks to the accuracy from frees displayed by Alan Fenton.
But Tooreen knew they would need to match those efforts in the second half, and in large part they did.
However, the defining score of the game, a goal kicked in underneath Bobby Douglas by Anthony Spillane in the 48th minute, changed the nature of the contest. It came from nothing really, just a booming delivery by the Castlelyons goalie, Jack Barry, that flummoxed the Tooreen rearguard, allowing Spillance to pounce.
That gave the Cork and Munster champions a slender lead (1-7 to 0-9) that they would never surrender, despite Tooreen's best efforts.
The Castlelyons goal never came under threat in that second half as the players did everything to deny Tooreen progress, including a couple of cynical pull-backs on Fergal Boland.
Deep in injury time, with Castlelyons two ahead (1-12 to 0-13), Tooreen had the glimmer of an opening as Liam Lavin won possession in the right-hand corner of the field and fed the sliotar to Brian Morley who in turn tried to find Shane Boland in a more advantageous position, but the pass was slightly midjudged and the chance went a-begging.
And that was it. No fairytale end to the year for Tooreen and no chance to return to Croke Park to try and make up for the All-Ireland defeat at the hands of Monaleen back in January. But you can be fairly certain they will return, for this type of stage suits them.
Tooreen: B. Douglas; O. Greally (0-1), C. Hession, M. Morley; J. Boyle, S. Coyne, D. Kenny; E. Delaney (0-1), D. Huane; F. Boland (0-1), G. Nolan, S. Kenny; L. Lavin (0-1), S. Boland (0-8, 7f), K. Feeney (0-1).
Subs used: S. Regan, B. Morley, J. Cassidy,
Castlelyons: J. Barry; N. O'Leary, C. Barry, J. O'Leary; B. Murphy, C. Spillane (0-2), D. Spillane; L. Sexton, J. Kearney (0-1); O. Hallihan (0-1), A. Fenton (0-6, 5f 1 65'), K. O'Leary; D. Morrison, L. Doocey, A. Spillane (1-2).
Subs used: C. McCarthy, S. Moroney, B. O'Donovan, P. Roche.
Referee: C. McDonald (Antrim).