Larkin relishing chance to steer hurlers to promotion

Mayo get their National Hurling League adventure underway when they take on the Orchard County in Castlebar on Sunday afternoon next. The Division 3A clash with Armagh gets underway at 1pm.

Following the departures of Tom Phillips and Dave McConn from the managerial post, another double act in the shape of Tooreen duo Brian Finn and Ray Larkin has since taken over to much excitement within the county.

Larkin has won five county hurling finals and four Connacht hurling titles as a coach and manager, overseeing Tooreen’s senior hurlers since 2020 and winning three Mayo senior and three Connacht intermediate titles as well as taking them to a historic All-Ireland club intermediate final two seasons ago.

Finn, in addition to his role as joint-manager of the senior team, will also continue on as Mayo U20 hurling manager.

Their backroom team is also star-studded, with former Galway senior hurler Nigel Shaughnessy as head coach and he is assisted in the role by former Carlow senior hurler Stephen Sheil.

Larkin and Finn began their tenure in the Connacht Hurling League earlier this month, which saw an experimental side beat Roscommon in the semi-final before falling to New York in the decider.

Without most of the Tooreen contingent due to their run to the All-Ireland semi-final in December, the majority are now back to help as Mayo look to win promotion to Division 2B. In addition, Liam Lavin, Oisin Greally and Conal Hession are back in the Mayo panel having played no part last year but Mayo will be without Shane Boland for the majority of the league as he’s currently in Australia while brother Fergal is back with the Mayo senior footballers. Ray Larkin is targeting the final game in the league away to Sligo for Shane Boland’s return.

“We’ve trained really hard,” he told the Western People ahead of Sunday’s league opener against Armagh. “We got two challenge games as well; the more games they get, they’ll get better as the weeks go on.

“I think it's about ten (Tooreen) lads back. When they finished up there on December 16, they were kind of flying fit and when they come back in again, they push on training and the lads can see the standards that they have to get to.” 

Having been vice-captain last year, Tooreen’s David Kenny has been appointed captain while Adrian Phillips of Ballyhaunis is now in the vice-captain role.

“They’re two strong men in the dressing room and that's what we want, bringing the young lads. They listen to David and Phil. When they talk, they listen so it was easy enough decision. It's great to have them there and pushing lads on,” said Larkin.

The league last year proved a frustrating one for Mayo. A draw against Roscommon in the opening round was seen as a solid start but frustrating losses to Fermanagh and Armagh put paid to any promotion hopes. They bounced back in the final two games with convincing wins over Monaghan and Louth but the earlier defeats cost them dearly.

But with the Tooreen contingent in from the start of this campaign, and with three home games this year also, Larkin is confident of a push for promotion.

“Last year things didn't go that way for them. We've three at home this year so if we can win all of them, we won't be too far away. If we can win against Armagh, that would be Louth at home, Sligo away. It might come down to the last game, but if we can win all our home games we won't be too far away.

“Armagh would be good and strong. They're a big physical team. If we can move the ball fast and quick, we'll have a chance.”