Mayo champions' grip on Connacht intermediate hurling title comes to an end

Tooreen's grip on the Connacht Intermediate Hurling Championship was loosened in Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon, as Galway's Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry won a gripping encounter by 0-19 to 1-14, writes Brian Gillespie.

The result was in doubt right up to the final whistle as Tooreen – going for five in a row – pucked a couple of late long deliveries into the Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry danger area in an attempt to turn the two-point deficit into a one-point advantage.

They didn't succeed, but it wasn't for the want of trying.

However, the Galway champions were good value for their victory. Their second-half display was particularly strong as they outscored the east Mayo men by 10 points to four, turning things around and then holding on against the late onslaught to secure victory.

Shane Moloney punished any indiscretions by Tooreen, scoring nine of Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry's 0-19 tally, all but one of them from placed balls.

Michael Power, Johnny Conroy, Ben Moran, Paul Killeen and Shane Fitzpatrick also impressed hugely, all of them contributing on the scoreboard too.

Kenny Feeney was Tooreen's outstanding performer on the day, especially in the first half as he found pockets of space and punished the Galway men's slack marking with four excellent points.

Injuries were a factor, however, as Fergal Boland – so instrumental in the first half – was unable to take his place on the field again when the second half commenced (he was reintroduced for the final stages), while Sean Regan didn't start despite being named in the programme (his place was taken by Conal Hession), and Sean Kenny struggled through until he could give no more around 20 minutes from time.

Shane Boland was kept on a tight leash as well, and his overall contribution was two pointed frees, one in either half.

Aside from Feeney, Eoin Delaney made his mark, scoring two good points and also the only goal of the game on 27 minutes, firing the ball into an empty net after Joe Boyle's long delivery caught out Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry 'keeper Brendan Lynch.

That score helped Tooreen take an element of control, and by half-time they were ahead by four (1-10 to 0-9). It could have been better too as Shane Boland broke through for a shot on goal in the final minute of the half but, under serious pressure from two defenders, batted the ball wide from close range.

A seven-point deficit might have been too much for Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry to overturn in the second half but the four-point gap certainly wasn't, and so they are taking the trophy back to the Galway for the first time since 2019.

Tooreen: B. Douglas; C. Hession, M. Morley, O. Greally; J. Boyle, S. Coyne, D. Kenny; D. Huane (0-2), S. Kenny (0-1f); L. Lavin, K. Feeney (0-4), E. Delaney (1-2); S. Boland (0-2f), F. Boland (0-1), C. Finn (0-1).

Subs used: B. Morley (0-1), S. Regan, F. Burke, S. Crinnigan, F. Boland.

Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry: B. Lynch; J. Whelan, G. McHugo, K. Moloney; D. Jordan, P. Killeen (0-1), S. Fitzpatrick (0-1); J. Conroy (0-1), B. Moran (0-2); N. Moloney (0-1), P. Breheny (0-1), S. Moloney (0-9, 7f, 1 65'); M. Power (0-2), T. Murphy (0-1), J. Dervan.

Subs used: C. Jordan, S. Farrell.

Referee: M. Kennedy (Tipperary).

*See Tuesday's print edition for a full report and reaction