Magical Higgins leads Ballyhaunis to three-in-a-row

Ballyhaunis 2-13

Tooreen 1-13

 

MAYO senior dual star Keith Higgins turned in a magical performance for Ballyhaunis to help them lift the Mayo hurling senior title for the third time in-a-row

Higgins stepped up to the plate with 1-9, his goal 10 minutes from time, followed by three points from play, turning the game in favour of the home side which drew with Toooreen on their home patch last weekend.

A David Harrison goal early in second half helped Tooreen into a three-point lead, 1-12 to 1-9, but for the last quarter it was Ballyhaunis, powered by Higgins, who came back to seal a deserving win in the end.

Ballyhaunis led by 1-7 to 0-8 at half-time, a goal from Stephen Hunt on 14 minutes the decisive score as he pounced on a ball spilled by the Tooreen goalkeeper.

The first half was very much a shootout between Keith Higgins and Kenny Feeney who matched each other in the freetaking department with 0-4 apiece.

It did look as if Tooreen would end their long losing streak against their neighbours when they shot three clear thanks to that Harrison goal.

But Ballyhaunis were just not in the mood to hand over the T.J. Tyrell Cup just yet.

Ballyhaunis: D. O'Brien, A. Brennan, A. Lyons, B. Hunt, K. Kiely, D. Keadin, F. Lyons, K. Higgins (1-9), E. Collin, A. Phillips (0-2), K. McDermott (0-2), P. Kiely, P. Higgins, T. Buckley, S. Hoban (1-0).

Subs used: J. Lyons, J. Coyne, L. Cribben.

Tooreen: D. Freyne, D. Huane, S. Morley, A. Henry, G. Nolan (0-2), S. Lenehan, J. Freyne, C. Freeman, D. Kenny (0-1), F. Boland (0-2), D. Harrison (1-0), S. Boland, K. Feeney (0-5), S. Regan (0-2), S. Kenny (0-1).

Subs used: C. Charlton, J. Henry, S. Hunt.

Referee: C. Collins (Lacken).

Man of the match: Keith Higgins, Ballyhaunis...proved the difference between the two sides and scored 1-9.