Ballyhaunis take bragging rights Final
Ballyhaunis 2-9
Tooreen 1-7 
Michael Commins
Tooreen LIKE Cork crowding into Thurles and winning a Munster final, Ballyhaunis came to the heart of Mayo hurling on Saturday and came away with the TJ Tyrell Cup. The neighbours from ‘up the road’ retained their title after a battle royal with a young and enthusiastic Tooreen side who hurled with much pride that hinted at better days to come.
This was a truly special day for Tooreen Hurling Club and all associated with the club over the past five decades. The development of their superb new pitch, opened two years ago, is a credit to the great people of this hurling heartland and it was such a joy to witness the first ever senior hurling final in the famous village. The dreams of the years floated on the evening breeze in this countryside where life beats to the rhythm of the clash of the ash.
The early exchanges were close with a palpable passion which embodied the rivalry between these two sides. Though Ballyhaunis bore the mantle of favourites, the Tooreen players were breathing down their necks for every ball. And they got a lucky break after six minutes when Adrian ‘Twink’ Freeman’s free from around 80 yards somehow found its way to the Ballyhaunis net. Ballyhaunis responded with a pulsating move when Niall Murphy showed formidable pace to dash through the Tooreen defence and flick over a neat point. Liam Lyons landed another to add to the early 65 converted by Keith Higgins, and the sides were level.
Some power play by Enda Kenny saw Tooreen forge ahead again. A Stephen Hoban free tied matters again before Pierce Higgins rode some tackles before releasing the ball to brother Keith, who slipped over the lead score for the visitors.
But Tooreen, who dominated this quarter and who missed some good chances, finished with two points from Kenny Feeney before Keith Higgins posted a long-range free to leave the teams level, 1-3 to 0-6 at the interval.
Tooreen supporters had reason to be pleased with the first half efforts of their team. They had more than matched the champions with the half-back line doing exceptionally well.
There was a fresh surge of power through the Ballyhaunis ranks on the restart. And while Adrian Freeman pointed a long-range free to nose Tooreen ahead, Ballyhaunis were now dominating the game. Pierce Higgins was master-minding a lot of this positive play while Tadgh Buckley turned in his best display in some time.
Paul McConn came thundering into the game, catching some high ball and effecting some great clearances while his brother Derek was not found wanting either, playing a captain’s role.
The game changed dramatically in favour of Ballyhaunis in a five-minute spell. Relatively well curtailed during the first half, Keith Higgins showed incredible inner resolve when, against the odds, winning a ball close to the end line, and somehow contriving to flick it across the Tooreen goal. Stephen Hoban got the final touch to nudge it over the goal-line, not the prettiest of goals but certainly a decisive one.
Ballyhaunis scented victory now and it was Hoban who placed the solidly-built Liam ‘Bomber’ Lyons who blasted home from close range. A minute later, he repeated the feat after fetching a long sweep from Tadgh Buckley, only to have his goal disallowed for an infringement. And when Keith Higgins sallied through for a smashing point and Hoban converted a free, Ballyhaunis had moved seven clear entering the closing twelve minutes.
Tooreen, to their great credit, refused to lie down. Adrian Freeman converted a 65 but in an understandable attempt to land a green flag, both Freeman and Kenny Feeney had goal efforts from close-in frees stopped by defenders. Enda Kenny and Twink landed two excellent late points, but Ballyhaunis were already well down the finishing straight.
Maybe when it came down to the wire, Tooreen came up somewhat short on fire-power in the attack. Only one of their six forwards managed to raise a flag. However, that better days lie ahead looks a ‘banker’, and it will hardly be too long before the TJ Tyrell Cup arrives back in Tooreen again. But the day belonged to Ballyhaunis.
This was never going to be the easiest of games to referee but Aodán Mac Suibhne did a superb job.
Johnny Hopkins from the Mayo Hurling Board presented the cup to a delighted Derek McConn who thanked the management team and all associated with the squad.
Tooreen can take a lot of heart from this display. Their chances were seriously hampered by the loss of Cathal Freeman and Gary Nolan through injury and the absence of six other panel members who are away in the Southern Hemisphere. But the cup is back in Ballyhaunis and they will take on Four Roads of Roscommon in the Connacht club championship semi-final with a date against the Galway Intermediate champions awaiting the winner.
Ballyhaunis
M Walsh; D Walsh, A Lyons, H McKermitt; P Lynch, D McConn, P McConn; P Higgins, T Buckley; C McCrudden, K Higgins (0-4, 1f, 1 ’65), F Walsh; S Hoban (1-2, 2f), L Lyons (1-2), N Murphy (0-1).
Subs used: R Freyne for L Lyons, L McDermott for S Hoban.
Tooreen
A Hession; S Ganley, K Robinson, C English; P Hunt, A Freeman (1-3, 1-1f, 1 ’65), S Morley; E Kenny (0-2), S Markham; M Morley, A Freeman, M Devaney; J Ganley, K Feeney (0-2, 1f), M Cunnane.
Subs used: C Mitchell for C English, B Delaney for M Cunnane, P Freyne for J Ganley.
Referee: A Mac Suibhne
