Tooreen captain hoping to keep 'golden era' going

Tooreen’s captain Shane Boland wants to keep the golden era of Tooreen Hurling Club going for years to come.

Boland will lead the Blue Devils out for their fourth All-Ireland intermediate club semi-final in a row as they take on Cork side Castlelyons.

“This is a real golden era for the club, but it’s unreal, we appreciate every All-Ireland semi-final we get to, and the club has struggled to win county finals before. This is what you dream of, to be playing this time of year and representing your club on the biggest stage,” Boland told the Western People.

Boland feels it was important to win last year’s semi-final against Down champions Liatrom Fontenoys, having lost three previous in 2017, 2019 and 2021.

“It gives the younger lads on the team more belief going in the next day and we’ll confident because we did it before and we can get there again. It was a big hurdle to get over, it was playing on the back of our minds. It’s great but we have a tough test to face the next day but hopefully we leave it all out there,” Boland said.

“We know that they’re a very good team, anyone who comes out of Cork and Munster is very strong. They will be serious, they have a few county lads too, we know what we’re facing so it’s up to us to face it.

“It’s great to be playing this time of year, you miss a few nights out, but you don’t mind because you’re playing with the lads you grew up with. There’s a great buzz around the community in Tooreen. We do enjoy the craic after the games too!” 

“It’s great honour to be captain, every one of these lads are leaders themselves, we’ve been on the same team for the last six-seven years.”