Extra-time heartbreak for Tooreen in All-Ireland final classic
Brian Morley of Tooreen takes a score during the first half. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
Tooreen's wait for an All-Ireland hurling title goes on after they were defeated by Upperchurch-Drombane after extra-time in an extraordinary All-Ireland final in Croke Park.
They were seconds from winning it in normal time. A stunning piece of skill by substitute Fionn Delaney set up Brian Morley, who had a magnificent game, for like the winner but Gavin Ryan's free from inside his own half took this game to extra-time.
And the drama was only just beginning after a breathtaking 60 minutes. Tooreen fought back after a poor start to the first half, scoring only two points in the opening 25 minutes, to fire in seven of the next eight points to trail only by one at the break, 0-10 to 0-9.
Points from Kenny Feeney Fergal Boland, Eoin Delaney and Shane Boland put Tooreen ahead for the first time but Upperchurch-Drombane found the net for the first time through Conor Fahey.
Tooreen were back in front going into the final quarter with the next four points but three on the spin by Upperchurch-Drombane levelled matters with ten minutes to go.
Fergal Boland exchanged scores in a tense final ten minutes, which saw both sides waste goal chances. Brian Morley briefly sent Tooreen into dreamland but Gavin Ryan's nerveless free meant this game was going to extra-time
Paddy Phelan found the net for the Munster champions midway through the first period and was followed by a goal from Conor Fahey in additional time of the first period. Tooreen almost conceded another goal shortly after but Stephen Coyne got a crucial interception.
With three minutes of the second period left, the game looked dead and buried as Upperchurch-Drombane fired in 1-3, Paul Shanahan firing in their fourth goal, to lead by ten. Remarkably, Tooreen hit two quickfire goals through Liam Lavin and David Harrison, followed by a point Fionn Delaney to bring the gap to three as it went into the final bit of injury-time. Tooreen looked to work another to goal set up penalties but Fergal Boland's score went over the bar, and the Blue Devils wait for a maiden All-Ireland goes on.
Who knows whether a chance like this will ever come again.
