Defending champions Tooreen maintain Mayo dominance

Tooreen 1-14 Ballyhaunis 2-05

A superb second-half display propelled defending champions Tooreen to their 32nd Mayo senior hurling championship title in impressive fashion.

On a wet and windy day at Adrian Freeman Park in Tooreen, an early goal from Eoin Delaney set the winners on their way to a deserved victory.

Although played in extremely blustery conditions, the first half was evenly-matched with Tooreen leading by 1-5 to 0-4 approaching the interval.

A brilliant goal from Ballyhaunis full-forward Adrian Philips left just the minimum between the teams at half time.

Dual star Keith Higgins was keeping Ballyhaunis in touch from well-struck frees, while Tooreen captain Shane Boland was also prolific from placed balls with Daniel Huane also on target for the holders.

Tooreen hit the ground running after the restart and five points without reply saw them open up some daylight as efforts from Joe Boyle, Seán Kenny (free), Fergal Boland and Shane Boland (two frees) pushed them ahead by 1-10 to 1-4 after 45 minutes.

Ballyhaunis finally opened their second half account through a Higgins free a minute later to keep them in contention.

But their comeback received a major boost on 52 minutes when a Higgins free dropped short and Adrian Philips whipped the loose ball to the net past Tooreen's excellent goalkeeper, Bobby Douglas.

That green flag reduced the homeside’s lead to just two points and looked to have set up a grandstand finish.

However, Tooreen never lost their composure and a string of scores in the last 10 minutes from Boland (a free and a '65), Kenny Feeney and Cathal Freeman saw them seal a deserved victory.

Veteran centre-half back Stephen Coyne turned in a man of the match performance for a Tooreen team who have now won five