Tourmakeady’s MicheΡl Ronan shields the ball as Burrishoole’s James Moran (left) and David Keane come looking for it during the Mayo Intermediate FC Final last Sunday. Mark Heneghan is also loitering with intent.
Tourmak’ take second chanceF
avourites ambushed by last year’s losersFinal
Tourmakeady 0-11
Burrishoole 0-9
Mike Finnerty
Castlebar
TWELVE months after losing an Intermediate final, and leaving McHale Park with shattered dreams and tear-stained faces, Tourmakeady strode triumphantly out of Castlebar last Sunday evening with the Sweeney Cup in their possession.
Backboned by seven sets of brothers, and brilliantly prepared and tutored by Jack Grimes and his management team, Tourmakeady fulfilled their date with destiny at the second time of asking.
In the process, just like 1982, they consigned Burrishoole to the role of bridesmaids. The pre-competition favourites were finally worn down by a litany of recent injuries that had robbed them of key men, including Liam O’Malley for last weekend’s decider.
Not even the promptings of Colm McManamon, and plenty of honest effort, could prevent their season-long unbeaten record from coming to an end.
Tourmakeady were the better team on the day; it was as simple as that. They won most of the ‘dirty ball’ around the middle, held five of Burrishoole’s six forwards scoreless from play (including the mercurial Jason Doherty) and dredged scores from six different players at the other end.
Their captain, Kevin Dolan, led the way once again. Tourmakeady’s leading scorer in the championship shot six points but his job was made relatively easy by the selfless, smart work done around him by the Naughtons, Heneghans, Pat Folan, MicheΡl Ronan and MicheΡl Ó Neill.
The way Tourmakeady won, and then kept possession, was a joy to watch at times. They guarded the ball like a precious diamond with Brendan Prendergast, John Heneghan and Tom and Brian Naughton making most of the crucial, play-making decisions.
Remarkably, Burrishoole burned out quickly after a flying start when they shot two points in as many minutes from centre-forward Michael Moran (who was also forced out of the game through injury midway through the second half) and Jason Doherty (free).
Despite playing against the strong wind, Tourmakeady drew level on eight minutes with scores from Brendan Prendergast (free) and Brian Naughton.
It was obvious even at that early stage that they meant business; Mark Heneghan, David Prendergast and Tom Staunton getting tight on Jason Doherty, David Keane and Enda McManamon (a surprise late inclusion) while John Heneghan swept in front of his defence like a matador.
Some lovely pass-and-move football, which saw them mix the long and short games excellently, then yielded three further points in ten minutes from Kevin Dolan (free), the perceptive Tom Naughton and MicheΡl O’Neill. It was 0-5 to 0-2 on 21 minutes.
Burrishoole were struggling all over the field, losing most of the individual battles and devoid of leadership around the middle. Jason Doherty was also being starved of possession inside but he did well to set up Alan Moran for an inspirational long-range point from the left wing to end a barren spell of over 20 minutes for his team.
It was only a brief respite though as Tourmakeady continued to hunt in packs, dispossessing their opponents when they carried the ball into the tackle, and breaking at speed in numbers.
Two such moves led to fine points from MJ Meeneghan and Kevin Dolan (after he skilfully chip-lifted the ball and used his pace to slice the Burrishoole defence wide open) to ease Tourmakeady ahead by 0-7 to 0-3.
Michael Moran and Dolan traded frees before the interval to send the 2/1 outsiders in at the break leading by 0-8 to 0-4, and looking every inch like a team who had decided to seize the day.
As expected, Burrishoole came out with all guns blazing for the second half but found formidable obstacles in Tourmakeady’s resolve, physical strength, and blanket defence.
A Kevin Dolan free also widened the gap after nine minutes and sustained Burrishoole pressure all during the third quarter could only yield a solitary score from James Moran in the 42nd minute.
Despite the lack of scores, there was nobody holding back on either side during a frenetic second half. However, Tourmakeady looked comfortable out in front as their experience and craft was obvious whenever Burrishoole threatened.
The sides traded points twice during the final quarter; efforts from Padraic McManamon and Jason Doherty (free) being cancelled out by two sweet scores from the classy Kevin Dolan.
The match was in injury-time when Doherty, the competition’s Golden Boot winner, swung over two frees to set up a close finish but Tourmakeady were not to be denied again.
TourmakedyB Heneghan; M Heneghan, D Prendergast, T Staunton; MJ Walsh, B Prendergast (0-1, 1f), MJ Meeneghan (0-1); M O’Neill (0-1), John Heneghan; P Folan, T Naughton (0-1), M Ronan; B Naughton (0-1), Joe Heneghan, K Dolan (0-6, 4fs).Subs used: A O’Neill for Walsh; D O’Toole for Folan; S O’Neill for Joe Heneghan; D Heneghan for M Heneghan.
BurrishooleS Nevin; D Drumm, S McManamon, P Mulchrone; A Moran (0-1), M Joyce, P McManamon (0-1); P Holmes, J Moran (0-1); P Mulchrone, M Moran (0-2, 1f), D O’Grady; E McManamon, D Keane, J Doherty (0-4, 4fs).
Sub used: L O’Malley for M Moran (inj).
Referee: V Neary (Bonniconlon)
