Larkin’s lads respond to Eire Óg test with flying colours

Tooreen have waited three years for another shot at All-Ireland glory and they will finally get that chance again next month. Manager Ray Larking admitted after Sunday’s win against Eire Óg Carrickmore that his players have had that agonising Croke Park defeat to Monaleen in the back of their heads for some time now, and the motivation to return was seen in full force after a mesmeric display of shooting in the second-half to see off their valiant Tyrone opponents.

“These lads, I think they've played in Croke Park more times than they've played at home. For us, we're two hours away from winning an All-Ireland and that's what we're looking at. That’s our aim now.

“I know a couple of years ago, it was a great day for the club and it's a great day for the players to travel up there for the club. It's different with the club compared to with the county.

“We've been there before, we’ve the experience and we hope to get over the line the next day. We've waited for this for a while now, in fairness. It’s been in the back of our minds the last couple of years.” 

There might have been some concern after the first-half when his side trailed by two points, and Ray Larkin admitted they were a ‘little flat’ going into the game but credited the impact of the bench in turning Tooreen’s fortunes around.

“Being harsh, I suppose we were poor first-half. In fairness, [Carrickmore] were well up for it. We had a four-week break there as well, didn't get a chance to get a challenge game in between.

“We got them in at half-time and we made a few changes. Sean Regan and Fionn Delaney made a difference when they came in and that's what we said all year, we have a good bench. Today is the day we have to use them, we can't hang around and we need to make changes.

“But yeah, superb second-half. That second half, you know, it would beat anyone.” Larkin added: “We were shooting over the far left [first-half], just kind of panicked a small bit on the ball. We got them in at half-time then, we just told them to carry the ball in, to take on their men. We knew we had the legs on them and when we done that then we're a different team. Fair play to them, they responded to what we told them.” 

It is an incredible achievement for a village of roughly 400 people to have a club in an All-Ireland final, but the support in Kingspan Breffni Park in the second-half at times sounded like ten times that and Ray Larkin paid tribute to the supporters who have travelled the length and breadth of the country – and beyond – on their journey.

“No matter where we go, whether it's here or London or down to Roscommon, in fairness the supporters travel everywhere. It's really good for the lads to come out there at half-time and hear the crowd roaring. It's massive for us. It’s put the hairs standing on the back of your neck, cheering every score we got there.

“It's a great day for the club, and I hope they'll be all behind us again in three weeks’ time again.”