Classy Tooreen bring Connacht title back to Mayo
Tooreen are Connacht intermediate hurling champions again following a magnificent 3-21 to 2-12 victory over Galway champions Meelick-Eyrecourt in the final at King & Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon, writes Aiden Henry.
To say this was vintage stuff from the Mayo champions would be an understatement. From the beginning to the end of this Connacht Intermediate Hurling Championship final they were just awesome.
It was by far their best performance of the year as they never really allowed their Galway opponents get any sort of foothold in the game, and in the end they were well worth their 12-point victory.
Now Tooreen will venture into the All-Ireland series. On this kind of form, they will take some beating.
The All-Ireland semi-final will be played before Christmas as they will be out against the Ulster champions (the final between the Tyrone and Fermanagh champions takes place next weekend) on December 20. One would expect Tooreen to be the favourites to win this semi-final.
It was little wonder Tooreen team manager Ray Larkin had a big smile on his face following the final whistle.
“It was great to regain the Connacht title after losing it last year," he said. "We were very disappointed (last year), but I knew these lads would come back again. They proved out there today what a brilliant team they are.”
Larkin continued: “We did not play very well in the county final and against Four Roads. But last week in London and out there today they were just brilliant. I am very proud of them.
"Now we will look forward to the All-Ireland series. We will play the Ulster champions in the semi-final before Christmas and see where it takes us. While we will celebrate tonight, we will be back training on Thursday night.”
Leading 3-11 to 2-7 at the break, Tooreen never allowed Meelick-Eyrecourt to reduce the gap to any great degree in the third quarter and streaked away in the fourth to end up winning by 12 points in what was one of their most dominant displays in a Connacht Intermediate Hurling Championship final.
*See The Connaught Telegraph print edition on Tuesday for a comprehensive report