Three in a row for Ballyhaunis hurlers

Three in a row for champions


Final
Ballyhaunis 0-14
Tooreen 0-11

Michael Commins
Ballyhaunis

BALLYHAUNIS made it three in a row when they overcame gallant Tooreen in the Mayo senior hurling final at Ballyhaunis on Sunday. This was a game worthy of the occasion, full of passion, heart and commitment, and sporting in the extreme. “Tough, hard and fair” was how Ballyhaunis captain Derek McConn summed it up afterwards. He was spot on.
There was no mistaking the emotion of the occasion. The tragic death of Tooreen and Mayo hurler Adrian Freeman in Australia earlier this summer had cast a long shadow, his memory still so fresh in the hearts of all. ‘Twink’ was such an integral part of the team and the Tooreen lads wanted one thing above all on this occasion …. to give it everything for their departed colleague.
A fine crowd assembled for this showdown. There was an honesty of endeavour by both teams that held the attention of all patrons to the last puck of the game. In the closing minutes, as the atmosphere reached fever pitch, the balance titled in favour of the champions … if only just. It was that close.
It was entirely fitting that Cathal Freeman should land the opening point from play. Kenny Feeney slipped through for another and Freeman converted a free to give the challengers an early three-point lead. Tooreen, managed by Tony Henry and Dom Greally, those great servants of the famous club, had clearly signalled their intent and it was a challenge they maintained to the last puck of the match.
A point from a free by Stephen Hoban helped settle Ballyhaunis into the game, but a terrific strike by Cathal Freeman off his left side drew deserved applause from the large Tooreen support.
Ballyhaunis, who were rocked by the early Tooreen onslaught, needed a timely boost and this came in the form of a class strike from Niall Murphy. It provided a badly-needed infusion of confidence to the Ballyhaunis team at a vital stage and was followed by two points from frees by Stephen Hoban which saw them draw level.
Still, Tooreen, hurling well and turning in their best performance of the season, carried the game to the champions. Paul Hunt, Michael Morley and Greg Henry were truly outstanding in the defence with SeΡn Ganley and Shane Morley also turning in strong displays.
SeΡn Markham, producing his best form for some time, landed a marvellous point from out near the sideline and Cathal Freeman flashed another high between the posts to the delight of the Tooreen contingent. With Kenny Feeney winning good possession and Stephen Hunt performing exceptionally well, Tooreen were clearly taking the challenge to the champions. Stephen Hunt was unlucky not to extend the lead to three when his fine effort rebounded off the upright.
Ballyhaunis, inspired by a terrific point by the influential Stephen Hoban from near the halfway line, finished the half well with Hoban converting a free and Donal O’Brien on target from out the field. The Tipperary man’s point was the first time that Ballyhaunis had moved ahead and this gave them an 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead.
While Christy McCrudden and Niall Murphy flighted over two marvellous scores from play early in the second half, the free-taking of Cathal Freeman kept Tooreen in the frame, so much so that they had edged into a 0-10 to 0-9 lead at the three-quarter stage.
However, the experience gained in recent years stood well to Ballyhaunis in the closing stages. The foundations were laid earlier by some sterling work by Peter Healy, Damien Keadin, Derek McConn and Adrian Brennan while Niall Murphy came into his own with a superb display. The accuracy of Stephen Hoban, who also excelled, was a crucial factor while the solid work-rate of Pierce Higgins, Christy McCrudden, Tadgh Buckley, Hughie McKermitt, Paul McConn, Donal O’Brien, Deano Hunt and Keith Higgins eventually helped see Ballyhaunis over the line.
The arrival of Keith Higgins on the scene, out through a broken collarbone, provided a major boost. A bout of sustained pressure yielded the equalising point from Donal O’Brien and two further scores from Stephen Hoban saw them in prime position entering the closing minutes. A great strike by Stephen Hunt cut the margin to the minimum in the 27th minute and a draw looked a real possibility.
The two last scores of the game were worthy of any champions, outstanding long-range strikes from Keith Higgins and Niall Murphy that sealed it for Ballyhaunis and broke the hearts of Tooreen. One last effort by Tooreen to secure an equaliser was rebuffed by the Ballyhaunis defence with the tigerish Damien Keadin clearing downfield.
The most sustained applause at the presentation ceremonies was for Cathal Freeman, top scorer in the game, who was the recipient of the Man of the Match award. It was a poignant and emotional moment and one that completely transcended club loyalties.
Hurling Board chairman Jackie Coyne also presided at the presentation of the TJ Tyrell Cup to Derek McConn. The Ballyhaunis man paid a warm tribute to both teams and the sporting nature of this derby county final. He had special words of thanks for the management team of JP Coen, Dave McConn, John Joe Hoban, Martin McDermott and Donal Moran.
Referee Charlie Collins had a fine game too.

Ballyhaunis
M Walsh; A Brennan, P Healy, D Keadin; P McConn, D McConn, H McKermitt; P Higgins, T Buckley; C McCrudden (0-1), N Murphy (0-3), L McDermott; B Hunt, D O’Brien (0-2), S Hoban (0-7, 5f).
Subs used: K Higgins (0-1) for L McDermott; J Swords for C McCrudden.

Tooreen
A Hession; P Hunt, S Morley, S Ganley; S Markham (0-1), M Morley, G Henry; C Mitchell, S Hunt (0-1); K Feeney (0-1), P Freyne, M Martin; C Charlton, C Freeman (0-8, 5f), A Freeman.
Subs used: K Robinson for P Freyne; P Delaney for C Charlton; G Nolan for M Martin.

Referee: C Collins (Lacken)