Age-old rivals clash ash again in county final

FEW sporting rivalries are as celebrated as the hurling clashes of Ballyhaunis and Tooreen. Away from sport many of the men who wear the colours of the neighbouring clubs are the closest of friends, inter-related and work and socialise together, but when they cross the whitewash for next Saturday’s Mayo Senior Hurling Final they will go to war from first whistle to last.

“We know each other so well. We know what each other eat for breakfast. There's such a deep understanding of one another from the community, from school and from playing with each other for county teams. They nearly know what the other lads are thinking,” Ballyhaunis clubman Donal O'Brien explained last week as thoughts turned towards another showdown between the age-old rivals.

“It never matters how good either team is going, there is never much between us on county final day. Tooreen got the better of us earlier in the championship and were striking the ball crisply, but we've been moving very well in the last few weeks and are looking to give a very good account of ourselves. It will be all systems go on Saturday.”

Tooreen's chairman, Pat Freyne, delivered a similar message. He paid little heed to the result of the group game and was adamant there will be little between the teams in the final as Tooreen look to win their third title in succession.

“We're under no illusions after that earlier result. Ballyhaunis were very understrength for that game and it will be a totally different challenge next Saturday.

“We're very familiar with each other at this stage and it's always a great occasion. Both sides are well aware that anything can happen on county final day and that adds to the anticipation around the whole thing.

“We've one notable absentee this year; Cathal Freeman has gone to Australia and he's a big loss. He has been a great servant to the club over the years and we'll miss him. He's a great leader, on and off the pitch, and has been at the core of the team for a decade or more.

“But he wanted to travel and you couldn't blame him.

“We have some fine young lads in this year and we're well set, but we know the challenge we'll be facing when the game begins.”

That challenge will be delivered on the green grass of Ballyhaunis, but Freyne says the venue never makes any difference to either team.

“I don't think it matters where a game between Tooreen and Ballyhaunis is played. All the players are well used to playing in both pitches and there's never anything between the teams so the pitch or the location makes no difference.

“Finals take on lives of their own. Both teams bring the best out in one another. We're neighbours and lots of the lads would be great friends having gone to school together and playing for Mayo together, so that creates great rivalry between the white lines and it turns into a 50/50 battle which can go either way.”

Ballyhaunis star Adrian Philips was then asked about the large amount of dual players lining out in his club’s colours.

“There are 17 of us playing both hurling and football for the past eight weeks, and we love that week-on-week involvement. It gives you no time to dwell on anything – you just go from game to game. The intensity has been high and now we're all set now for a big performance next weekend. We've prepared well and are determined to give it all we have.

“There are great friendships but that goes out the window when the ball is thrown in. Of course, we'll shake hands again after no matter what the result. It would be fantastic to win it. “We had great celebrations when we won it in 2020 and it would be great to do that again.”

FIXTURE

TJ Tyrell Cup Final

Ballyhaunis v Tooreen

Saturday, October 21

Ballyhaunis at 4pm