Oct 13,2024
Tooreen 1-21 Ballyhaunis 0-22 (AET)
There was drama all the way in this riveting Mayo SHC final as it took extra-time to decide the destination of the TJ Tyrell Cup for 2024 and only a puck of the ball separated the teams with Tooreen eventually retaining the title on a scoreline of 1-21 to 0-22.
The home team were pushed all the way by a gallant Ballyhaunis, their neighbours from five mile miles down the road. Tooreen, who were seeking their fourth title in a row and Ballyhaunis, who last won the title in 2020, served up some gripping fare for the enthusiastic crowd.
It was end to end hurling from start to finish and the only goal of the match came for the winners midway through the first half when Joe Boyle and Danny Huane combined to put Liam Lavin through for a superb finish.
Ballyhaunis responded in style with fine displays by Kieran McDermott, Eoghan Collins and former Mayo All-Star footballer Keith Higgins, and a series of points from Cormac Phillips, Michael Farrell, Keith Higgins and Ryan Kilbane saw them move three clear.
A fine strike from distance by Sean Regan (who will be seeking a senior double when he lines out with Ballina in the Mayo senior football final next Sunday) saw Tooreen reduce the gap to two points, 0-11, to 1-06, at the interval.
Points on the restart from Liam and Mayo senior footballer, Fergal Boland, saw Tooreen draw level. The champions moved three clear with two excellent points form substitute, Shane Crinnigan, and another from Liam Lavin but white flags in a row from Ballyhaunis levelled the game entering the last five minutes.
A huge long range free from goalie Bobby Douglas nosed Tooreen ahead before Cormac Phillips hit a superb equaliser to bring the game to two periods of ten minutes.
Fergal Boland was the hero of extra-time with four points from play. Sean Kenny, Liam Lavin and Adrian Phillips were also on target. Patrick Kiely, Michael Farrell, Keith Higgins and Cormac Phillips (2) secured the Ballyhaunis scores.
The last play of the game saw Keith Higgins float a 50 yards free into the Tooreen goalmouth and a mad scramble resulted in the ball grazing the post and out over the end line.
Tooreen: B Douglas (0-2); E Delaney (0-1), M Morley, O Greally; J Boyle S Coyne, D Kenny; D Huane, S Kenny (0-3, 1f); L Lavin (1-3), K Feeney, James Byrne; S Boland (0-2f), F Boland (0-7), S Regan (0-3).
Subs: J Trench for M Morley, S Crinnigan (0-2) for J Byrne, O Casey for S Kenny, B Morley for E Delaney, F Burke for K Feeney, D Freeman for J Trench.
Ballyhaunis: D O'Brien; E Ryan, M Phillips, S Morley; D Phillips, D Hill, E Collins; Kieran McDermott, B Hunt (0-1); P Kiely (0-2), A Phillips (0-2), R Kilbane (0-1); M Farrell (0-3), C Phillips (0-11, 10f), K Higgins (0-2).
Subs: L Cribbin for D Hill, J Lyons for R Kilbane, S Hoban for S Morley, A Brennan for D Phillips.
