Tooreen meet Ballyhaunis in hurling final

The champions and challengers should serve up another classic


Preview
Michael Commins

ReporterTHE intense rivalry between Ballyhaunis and Tooreen has few equals in Mayo sport over the past decade. And there will be no lack of passion when these two teams meet in the Mayo senior hurling final in Ballyhaunis on Sunday (3pm). The game looks set to attract a big attendance with good interest from the neighbouring parts of west Roscommon sure to add further to the crowd.
Ballyhaunis enter the game as favourites. They have been impressive in the campaign to date, defeating Tooreen en route, and also brushing aside the challenge of Castlebar in the semi-final.
They have been the dominant team of the past decade, winning six county titles during that period. It is an impressive record by any standards.
But this time they face the Tooreen challenge without dual inter-county player Keith Higgins who broke a collarbone some weeks ago. His loss cannot be overstated as he has been at the very heart of this team for some years. His silken skills will be sorely missed on this occasion. (There has been some speculation in recent days that Keith may yet play some part in Sunday’s game but it could be a major gamble to risk further injury).
Still, Ballyhaunis have established a solid panel and experience is one thing they do not lack going into the final. Even without Keith, they still managed to reach the final of the Ratoath Sevens, defeating teams from the top counties down south en route. It was an achievement that raised many eyebrows.
The ‘blending’ process has gone well for Ballyhaunis who have drafted in a number of young players throughout the campaign. Kieran Kiely, Kieran McDermott, Damien Keadin, Luke Cribbin and Jason Swords have adapted well to the move up in ranks and are eagerly looking forward to the big day.
The addition of Donal O’Brien from Silvermines in Tipperary, a member of the teaching staff at Ballyhaunis Primary School, has been a major boost to the team too. O’Brien has hurled well in all his games since donning the Ballyhaunis jersey.
Derek McConn will captain Ballyhaunis as they go for the three-in-a-row. Pierse Higgins has been a vital cog in this team over the past decade and his reassuring presence and guidance will be required more than ever on Sunday. Adding further to the bank of experience will be such players as Tadhg Buckley, Niall Murphy, Christy McCrudden, Paul McConn, goalie Micheal Walsh, Hughie McKermitt and Paul Lynch. They are also boosted by the return of Peter Healy and Brian “Deano” Hunt after injury.
On the downside, that great servant of the club, Derek Walsh, has retired through injury, while Fergal Lyons and Liam ‘Bomber’ Lyons are both out with injuries. Fergal Walsh and Austin Lyons are away working in London.
The team manager this year is John Paul Coen and his mentors are Dave McConn, John Joe Hoban and Pete Higgins.
“We have prepared as well as we can. The training is done and we are looking forward to Sunday and getting on with it and hopefully coming through with a win. We have a good bond and understanding and want to go forward all the time,” says John Paul.
Meanwhile, down Tooreen way, managers Tony Henry and Dom Greally, with a helping hand from Pat Ganley, are putting the final touches to their preparations to bring the TJ Tyrell Cup back to the village.
No one can be in any doubt as to the dominant factor in Tooreen hurling this year …. the tragic death of star player Adrian Freeman in a road accident in Australia. “Twink” was such an integral part of the team.
Dom Greally says the memory of Adrian will be uppermost in the minds of everyone associated with the club on county final day.
“Adrian was a jewel of a player. He was such a favourite with all the panel. We never had to deal with anything of this nature before in the club history.
“It will be an emotional day for all the club but especially for his parents Seamus and Ita, his sister Louise, and brother Cathal who has been playing so well for us since his return from injury. The word “Twink” has been emblazoned on the neck collar of all our jerseys in tribute to Adrian.”
Tooreen, who will be without the services of Stephen Coyne, Stephen Leneghan, Justin Freyne and James Hunt (all in Australia), once again have a young side on duty. They were pushed all the way by Westport in the semi-final and the teams were level with just five minutes to play. All their scores on the day came from Cathal Freeman and Kenny Feeney. They are all too well aware that they need a greater spread of scorers if they are to dethrone the champions on Sunday.
Adrian Hession has had a good season as Tooreen goalie. Shane Morley, Greg Henry and Michael Morley hurled superbly against Westport with Paul Hunt, Sean Ganley and Dougie Mitchell all prominent in an impressive Tooreen defence.
Changes can be expected at midfield for Sunday’s showdown. The return of Cathal Freeman is a big boost to the team and he excelled in the semi-final. Kenny Feeney was also in top form while Alan Freeman and Michael Martin were prominent too. Others like Brian Delaney, Martin Devaney, Michael Cunnane and Joey Ganley are all ready and willing to pursue the Tooreen cause.
“It is going to take a huge effort from our lads. Ballyhaunis have been the dominant team of the decade and that doesn’t happen without hard work and talent to match. We have trained hard and the lads have put in a huge effort. There’s a lot of support for the lads out there this year and we are hoping that they can do the business and bring the cup back to Tooreen on Sunday evening,” says Dom.