Another great battle between Tooreen and Ballyhaunis expected

Brian Gillespie

Old friends – or maybe old foes – are the best, and Tooreen and Ballyhaunis are certainly both on the hurling field.

It comes as little surprise that this year's Mayo senior hurling final pits the neighbours against each other once more, though today's meeting at Adrian Freeman Park in Tooreen will be their first of the year as they didn't meet in the group stages, where both teams secured victory over Castlebar Mitchels.

Tooreen are defending champions and enjoyed Connacht intermediate success last year too, so they won't be giving up their title without a huge fight.

Manager Ray Larkin knows it will be tough, however. “It's at home, though I don't know if that will be much of an advantage because Ballyhaunis are used to playing in Tooreen, and vice versa. If it's a free-flowing game and not stop-start, the best team will win on the day. It will come down to work rate really.”

Not having played each other this year so far does add a little novelty to the occasion.

“I know there would be a lot of shadow boxing going on in the group games but at least you'd see where you were and if you were up or down. Sometimes a beating can drive lads on a small bit, so this year will be a bit of a novelty alright.”

For Ballyhaunis manager Donal O'Brien, the split season gave him access to players for longer, and that's something he's grateful for, but the final opponent is hugely familiar. Does that make things difficult?

“It's hard to say. I don't think it gives any advantage or disadvantage. We didn't play each other in the group stages this year so this is our first time playing against each other since the county final last year.

"But listen, the fact of the matter is they've a fair idea what team we're going to pick and we've a fair idea what team they're going to pick. The fact that you know the opposition so well, you kind of have to focus more on yourself.”

And while Donal and his charges would love to win today, naturally there's a bigger picture here.

“As serious as it is – and every club has gone really professional – we have a couple of characters that you need in a squad, really good characters that enjoy their hurling but as well as that are having a bit of fun, a bit of craic. They come back because they know it's not just driving and training the whole time; it's also a case of meeting with your buddies and having the craic.

“The end goal is we want to improve, we want to develop, we want to progress, but you're coming away from a hard session, you're getting into the car and you're thinking: 'You know what, I really enjoyed that' – not just because the hurling was competitive but you actually had a bit of fun with the lads. That's all important.”

There remains a county title to win, however, and possible Connacht success thereafter. “Back through the years, there's never been more than the puck of a ball between us, whether we were county champions or they were county champions. The main goal is get over the county final and if you can win that, then start looking forward afterwards. The sole vision at the moment though is the final.”

The final throws in at 2 p.m. in Tooreen, with Eoin Shaughnessy officiating.