Heartbreak for Tooreen again
Upperchurch-Drombane (Tipperary) 4-20
Tooreen 2-24
FOR the second time in three years Tooreen’s dream of All-Ireland intermediate club success were dashed in hearth breaking circumstances when they came up short in the decider against the Tipperary and Munster champions, Upperchurch-Drombane, writes Aiden Henry.
Back in 2023 Tooreen were denied by a late rally by Limerick side, Monaleen. This time they were denied in normal time by a last gasp equaliser from Upperchurch-Drombane centre back Gavin Ryan to force extra time. In extra time the Tipperary side went 10 points clear before a late Tooreen fight back where they scored an unanswered 2-2, almost pulled the game out of the fire. But it was not to be as the Mayo champions ran out of time and thus the wait for a major national title continues.
In the opening half Tooreen were very slow to get into their stride and fell seven points behind. However, a great end to the half where they outscored their rivals by seven points to one saw them just one behind at the interval, 0-10 to 0-9.
In the second half Tooreen were much the better team and looked as if they had got the measure of their opponents on a number of occasions. But the Tipperary side failed to give up and helped by a goal from Conor Fahey in the 40th minute, they stayed in contention.
Yet, it looked as if it was Tooreen’s day when Brian Morley nudged them a point in front with under a minute of injury time remaining. But as already eluded too, the equaliser arrived with the last puck of the game, a free from inside his own half by Ryan, to send the game into extra time.
In the first period of extra time both sides managed to get two scores each. However, Upperchurch-Drombane’s two scores were goals which put them four ahead.
Things got better for the Tipp side at the start of the second period of extra time as they increased their lead to 10 points by scoring an unanswered 1-3. Yet, Tooreen refused to throw in the towel and two goals from Liam Lavin and David Harrison and a point from Fergal Boland, brought them back within a goal with a minute of injury time to be played.
But try as they did, they were unable to find the back of the net for a third time despite going very close on two occasions.
In the end it was tough luck on Tooreen. But on an evening where they gave everything they were denied at the death.