Red-hot Blue Devils stand on cusp of history
At Tooreen Hurling Club’s Meet and Greet event in Tooreen Hall last Sunday morning were Jimmy Connor and Padraig Forkan. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Since January 14, 2023, all concerned with Tooreen Hurling Club wondered if a chance like this would ever come around again.
On their last, and first, appearance in an All-Ireland club final in Croke Park, it looked like Tooreen were about to make history until a late burst by Monaleen of Limerick left them aching with what-ifs.
This Saturday evening, the Blue Devils have a second chance to make that climb up the Hogan Stand steps and on the evidence from the county, provincial and All-Ireland championship to date, they look primed and ready to do so.
The tightest game they have had so far is the one that traditionally is: the Mayo senior final against neighbours and age-old rivals Ballyhaunis. Their winning score was somewhat controversial, but it meant the TJ Tyrell Cup remained in the parish of Tooreen for a fifth year in-a-row.
Since their maiden Connacht breakthrough in 2018, Tooreen have been able to showcase their dazzling ability when the provincial stages arrived. Although their quarter-final win over Four Roads was more substance over style, their trip to London for the semi-final against St Gabriel’s demonstrated exactly why Tooreen have been such a dominant force in Connacht for the past eight years.
The Connacht final against Meelick-Eyrecourt had the potential to be tricky. Tooreen were beaten in the decider by another Galway opponent, Tynagh Abbey-Duniry, a year previously and were missing captain Daniel Huane due to injury, but they conjured up their best performance of the championship, and maybe of this golden era for the club, to clinch a record-extending sixth Connacht title.
Like their run to the All-Ireland final three years ago, Ulster opposition stood in their way once again. Éire Óg Carrickmore asked questions early doors and even led at half-time, but Tooreen’s trademark blitz left the Tyrone outfit in the dust as they eased away in the end to another trip to HQ.
The nature of their victories to date comes off the back of a settled side that has effectively been the backbone of so much recent success. Of the 15 who started that final in Croke Park three years ago, eleven were also starters in Breffni Park before Christmas for the All-Ireland semi-final (another starter, Kenny Feeney, came off the bench against Monaleen).
The Tooreen conveyor belt, however, continues to roll out fresh new talent. Defender Conal Hession is at the heart of defence for club and county while minor Fionn Delaney is another special talent who has come through the ranks.
Tooreen are also coming into the final largely free from injury trouble. Huane made an appearance off the bench in the All-Ireland semi-final after suffering an injury against Four Roads. His return should free up Shane Boland to return to the attacking lineup alongside brother Fergal, Eoin Delaney, Sean Kenny, John Cassidy and Liam Lavin.
At the back, Oisin Greally, Michael Morley, Stephen Coyne, Joe Boyle, David Kenny and Conal Hession form a watertight defence, and they will need to be on full alert against a Tipperary side that is battle hardened from their own run to the final Upperchurch-Drombane, who are looking to become the first Tipperary club to win the intermediate All-Ireland since Kildangan won the inaugural staging of the competition in 2005, won their first ever hurling provincial title against O’Callaghan Mills (Clare) convincingly before coming through a thrilling All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny and Leinster champions Danesfort.
Key defenders are captain Keith Ryan and brother Gavin, the latter a part of Tipperary’s senior hurling panel in 2023. Another Ryan brother is Aaron, and a potential battle with Daniel Huane in the middle of the park could be key.
Keith Ryan is also a dual star, having represented the Tipperary senior footballers along with Luke Shanahan and Conor Fahey, while Ryan and forward duo Shanahan and Paddy Phelan also all played for Tipperary U20 hurlers.
Given the wide spaces of Croke Park and their experience with club and county at this ground, more history will be made by this special group should Tooreen’s attack click one more time.
Mayo SHC Round 1: Tooreen 0-24 Castlebar Mitchels 0-10.
Mayo SHC Semi-Final: Tooreen 5-30 St Ciaran’s 0-7.
Mayo SHC Final: Tooreen 2-17 Ballyhaunis 0-21.
Connacht IHC Quarter-Final: Tooreen 1-17 Four Roads 1-12.
Connacht IHC Semi-Final: Tooreen’s 3-21 St Gabriel’s 0-8.
Connacht IHC Final: Tooreen 3-21 Meelick-Eyrecourt 2-12.
All-Ireland semi-final: Tooreen 1-28 Éire Óg Carrickmore 1-17.
