Blue Devils have bit between the teeth

The best teams always find new ways to motivate themselves. Tooreen are no different in that regard. They might have won five of the last seven Connacht titles but to say they are hungry for more is an understatement. That much was clear when Tooreen manager Ray Larkin spoke in the wake of last Saturday’s eye-catching victory against St Gabriel’s – eye-catching for its sheer scale.

To beat a club team that included no fewer than eight players who helped London to Christy Ring Cup glory in Croke Park earlier this year, and to do so in London by 22 points, would suggest that Tooreen have an itch to scratch.

Last year’s Connacht final defeat to Tynagh-Abbey Duniry is that itch.

“With all due respect, Tynagh were a senior team. They got relegated, but they went straight back up. They were a good senior team.

“We were four points up at half-time and only got beat by a point or two. We missed a goal. Fergal (Boland) came off at half-time with concussion. Ciaran Finn had a bad leg. Sean Kenny had an injury. They played but they weren’t fully fit.

“We’re fully fit now, and we can’t wait to get back in again and do ourselves justice again. We’ll be ready,” assured Larkin who first as selector and now as manager, has had involvement in all eight of Tooreen’s Connacht final appearances since 2017. Meelick-Eyrecourt will provide the opposition in next Saturday’s provincial final (1.30pm at Dr Hyde Park).

“Meelick-Eyrecourt wouldn’t have played in four weeks. We’ve two games under our belt. So, this game will stand to us massively especially in the second-half there. We got the chance to run five subs, which is great,” said Larkin, his side having already played at Hyde Park this championship when beating Four Roads in the quarter-final.

“We played Ballyhaunis, we got a lucky goal at the end to win it by two. We played Four Roads, we only won it by four or five. We told the lads we needed a performance today to get over the line.

“They were looking forward to the game. It’s a fine pitch here and they like the bigger pitch. When the pressure’s on they will perform.” 

And there’s no doubt but that Tooreen did perform. By half-time they already held a 2-15 to 0-5 lead over the shell-shocked home side.

“It was probably the most complete first half we’ve played in a long time. A lot of that goes down to our forwards – the work-rate was phenomenal. They worked really hard.

“That’s a good Gabriel’s team – a big physical team. And the whole logistical side of coming. But this is our third of fourth time over here. We’re well used to it. And we’ve a good team behind us who organise everything. All we have to do is show up.

“Thanks to the supporters who came over. It means a lot to a lot of people. And next Saturday we go at it again,” said Ray Larkin.

“It’s a quick turnaround but we’ll be back training Tuesday night and the momentum keeps going. Probably go again Thursday and the game Saturday.

“You can’t beat winning, and we’ve got to keep winning and keep building.”