Tooreen blow Carrickmore away to reach All-Ireland final
Shane Boland struck 1-8 for Tooreen in their All-Ireland semi-final win. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Tooreen are returning to Croke Park after a devastating second half display in Breffni Park saw them defeat Eire Óg Carrickmore to reach the AIB All-Ireland club intermediate hurling championship final.
The Blue Devils accuracy in the first half was wayward, and Carrickmore’s main man Aidan Kelly punished eight wides from the Connacht champions, scoring seven of his sides twelve first half points to put the Ulster men in front by two at half-time.
The introduction of Fionn Delaney and Sean Regan had a big impact for Tooreen in the second half, while the accuracy of Shane Boland, Liam Lavin, Sean Kenny and man of the match Eoin Delaney was flawless in a stunning run for the Mayo men.
Tooreen did not have a wide in the second half until the 52nd minute, outscoring Carrickmore 1-14 to 0-3, and the game was effectively over from here. Delaney, Lavin, Sean Kenny, Oisin Greally and Boland brothers Shane and Fergal rained the scores over, and Shane Boland’s major on 49 minutes had all in Tooreen preparing for a return to HQ.
Dermy Begley got a consolation foal for Carrickmore on 58 minutes, but Tooreen had the final word thanks to late points from Shane Boland and Fionn Delaney. Upperchurch Drombane from Tipperary now stand between Tooreen and immortality in three weeks time.
