Mayo's greatest 'clash of the ash' to take centre stage on final day

Here we go again! Tooreen and Ballyhaunis are all set to go shoulder to shoulder in the Mayo Senior Hurling Championship final in Ballyhaunis on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.

This is the showpiece of the year for hurling aficionados in the county, and patrons can expect another passionate encounter in this most local of all derbies in Mayo sport.

Tooreen are seeking five in a row while Ballyhaunis are hoping to stop their gallop and reclaim the TJ Tyrell Cup they last won in a fine encounter in Tooreen in 2020.

Last year’s decider was of epic proportions with Ballyhaunis taking Tooreen to extra time before the champions retained the title on a scoreline of 1-21 to 0-22.

No one doubts the credentials of the Tooreen team. The club has annexed a few Connacht titles since making the famous breakthrough in 2027 when defeating Galway champions, Ballinderreen, and went with a score of winning the All-Ireland Intermediate Final in an incredible game under lights in Croke Park when losing out by 1-17 to 1-15 to Monaleen of Limerick.

Tooreen manager, Ray Larkin, knows they are in for a tough encounter on Sunday.

“I keep saying it at this time of the year, but games between Tooreen and Ballyhaunis take on a life of their own," he stated. "The intense rivalry seems to bring out the best, and we hope that we can get over the line again on Sunday.

“There is huge respect between both teams as most of the lads have gone to school together in Ballyhaunis and many play alongside each other for Mayo as they comprise the vast bulk of the Mayo team.

"We have a clean bill of health ahead of the game, and all are looking forward to the big match on Sunday.”

Many of the stalwarts of the Tooreen team, as well as supporters, will be hoping for big displays from Fergal and Shane Boland, David and Sean Kenny, Oisín Greally, Liam Lavin, Conal Hession, Eoin Delaney, Bobby Douglas, Joe Boyle, Stephen Coyne and team captain, Danny Huane, among others.

Ballyhaunis turned in an impressive display when defeating Castlebar by 0-19 to 0-17 in the semi-final.

Team manager Trevor Kelly, together with the rest of the management panel, will be hoping that the home team bring fervour and intensity to this showdown from the outset, and the team is well equipped with fine hurlers to rise to the Tooreen challenge.

Ryan Kilbane was superb in their game against Castlebar. Keith Higgins remains one of the star players of the team, while others who were much to the fore were Diarmuid Phillips, Jack Coyne, Kieran McDermott, Cormac Phillips, Brian Hunt, Eoin Ryan, and Eoghan Collins.

Donal O’Brien, the Tipperary native who played for Mayo, is the goalie once again, while Adrian Phillips, Brian Hunt, Danny Hill, and Michael Farrell are all likely to be involved in the action.

The game, which will be live-streamed by Mayo GAA, is certain to attract a substantial and enthusiastic crowd and, like last year, should be in the balance to the end. The winners will play Four Roads from Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final two weeks later.

The Mayo Senior ‘B’ Championship final between St Ciarán’s and Castlebar will be played on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm.