East Mayo club just one step away from All-Ireland glory

Anticipation is at boiling point for Tooreen's clash with Upperchurch-Drombane of Tipperary in what should be an intriguing AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship final, writes Patrick Hennelly.

The east Mayo men will have to be at the top of their game, however, if they hope to land a coveted All-Ireland title, as they face stern opposition from the Premier County in the final at Croke Park on Saturday (January 10, 5.15 p.m.).

Upperchurch-Drombane won the Tipperary intermediate title by defeating Carrick Swans in the final. They then enjoyed a memorable and historic Munster Championship campaign that culminated in a marvellous 3-20 to 0-15 victory against O’Callaghan’s Mills of Clare in last November’s Munster final, a game which was played at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Incidentally, that was Upperchurch-Drombane’s first ever Munster intermediate title.

In the All-Ireland semi-final, Upperchurch-Drombane faced Danesfort of Kilkenny at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, on December 21 last, with the Tipperary men edging a thrilling encounter on a 1-13 to 0-14 scoreline.

In that All-Ireland semi-final, Liam Dunphy’s Upperchurch-Drombane outfit displayed plenty of character over the course of the game, especially when their ace forward Paudie Green was forced off through injury after only 18 minutes of first-half action. Some of the Tipperary side's standout performers that day were Luke Shanahan, who chipped in with seven frees, Pat Ryan, who scored the only goal of the game, and Colm Ryan.

Tooreen suffered a narrow 1-17 to 1-15 defeat in the 2023 All-Ireland intermediate final at the hands of Limerick’s Monaleen. However, the Blue Devils have the bonus of having experienced that aforementioned All-Ireland final day at GAA headquarters, so that might count for something in next Saturday’s decider.

Tooreen’s campaign has seen them come through some tough encounters, most notably the Mayo senior final where they just about got over the line against neighbours Ballyhaunis on a 2-17 to 0-21 scoreline.

In the Connaught final, Tooreen produced a swashbuckling display against a highly ranked Meelick-Eyrecourt side, and in the end their 3-21 to 2-12 victory was fully deserved.

The Blue Devils then faced Tyrone’s Éire Óg Carrickmore in the All-Ireland semi-final on December 21 last at Breffni Park, Cavan. Despite trailing by two points at the break in that encounter, the east Mayo side went on to produce a powerful second-half display to record a 1-28 to 1-17 victory in the end.

BUZZ

Tooreen captain Daniel Huane said there has been a great buzz at training and everyone is looking forward to the All-Ireland final.

“The mood in the camp is positive and we have 30 players all aiming to make not just the starting 15, but the actual match-day panel as well,” he stated.

“There is a nice blend of youth and experience to our side, and we have been improving game after game.”

The midfielder said that Tooreen have done their homework on Upperchurch-Drombane and that they know the challenge that awaits them at Croke Park.

“They were established in 1886, and in recent years have produced quality players such as James Barry, who also played with the Tipperary senior hurlers. Also, another one of their club members, Michael Ryan, managed Tipperary and led them to the All-Ireland title in 2016.

“Upperchurch-Drombane is situated eight miles from Thurles and that is a real hurling stronghold in Tipperary. They are a well-rounded team and defeated the Clare champions in the Munster final.”

The vast majority of the Tooreen panel were involved in the club’s last appearance at Croke Park and Huane feels that the novelty has worn off and now they want to go one better this time round.

“We have a nice mix of youth and experience in our team, and we can draw on the big day experience from the 2023 final. The novelty of playing in Croke Park has worn off now and we would love to go one better this time around.”

Victory for Tooreen on Saturday would mean so much for the famous east Mayo club, as Huane explained.

“There are roughly 350 to 400 people in our village and the vast majority of them will be travelling up to Croke Park. As I said, it would be great to go one step further this time around and win the All-Ireland.

“There is a great atmosphere in the school and the village. It is rare you see a Mayo hurling team facing a Tipperary team at Croke Park, and victory for us on Sunday would be a massive boost for our club and indeed hurling in general.”

Tooreen manager Ray Larkin has praised the work-rate within the panel and said that they need to make the most of a second All-Ireland final appearance in the space of three years.

“We have had some good training sessions in recent weeks, and everyone is looking forward to the final. It’s rare that a team gets a second bite at the cherry and we need to make sure we give it absolutely everything on Saturday and have no regrets leaving the pitch.

“Our panel is in a good spot at the moment, and we can call upon the big game experience that our players have gained over the years.”

Larkin added: “We will be taking nothing for granted and have done our homework. Upperchurch-Drombane play a similar game to us, which is a fast brand of hurling. Both teams have strong defenders, and it could well be a shootout between the fast, pacey forwards.”

The Tooreen manager believes that they may need to use their full allocation of substitutes on the day.

“Croke Park is a big, wide pitch, and I feel that we will have to use 20 players on the day as we will need fresh legs at various stages of the game.

“If we are there or thereabouts with 10 to 15 minutes left on the clock, then we stand a very good chance of winning.”

Larkin was also pleased to report that the camp has a clean bill of health.

“Thankfully we have no injuries or niggles to contend with, and we have a clean bill of health going into the game. Sean Regan made his comeback the last day, and Daniel Huane also got some game time. Everyone is fit and looking forward to the game.”

Tooreen have been making steady progress throughout the season and if they can produce another epic performance, then a coveted All-Ireland title could well be making its way to east Mayo.