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The
Tooreen U-16 Hurlers showed all the attributes of a team who will
never lie down, as they showed great courage and heart to reach
thier first ever Connacht U-16 Hurling Championship final with this
win over Four Roads (Roscommon). Two second half pointed frees against
a gale force wind by Cathal Freeman in the 52nd and 58th minutes
of the game proved to be the difference between the sides as the
East Mayo lads held on for a two point win.
Playing with the aid of a gale force wind in the opening half, Tooreen
set about to build up a commanding lead to defend for the second
half. Tooreen opened their account in the 5th minute of the game
with Freeman pointing his first of four frees of the day. Further
points followed from Kenny Feeney (2), Joey Ganley and Freeman again
from the dead ball, as Four Roads were defending hard against the
driving wind and rain. However, it was a long range effort by Tooreen
midfielder Daniel Jordan in the 26th minute which decieved Four
Roads goalkeeper Daniel Dolan to give Tooreen a healthy 1-5 to 0-0
lead at half time.
With their first attack of the second half, the South Roscommon
side registered a goal from corner forward John Coyne as he buried
to the roof of the Tooreen net. Points followed soon after both
from David Dolan to bring Four Roads back into the game. At this
stage, it looked as if the floodgates would open for the Roscommon
side but Tooreen dug deep to record their second goal of the game
from Joey Ganley to put his side six in front. This score was cancelled
out however over the following minutes as Four Roads recorded a
trio of points from Dolan again, Andy Lawler and John Kelly to put
three between the sides. Freeman then for Tooren showed nerves of
steel to convert a forty metre free against the wind to give his
side a cushion, before Four Roads recorded their second goal of
the game from Michael Rogerson to leave a single point between the
sides with five minutes remaining. However, with their backs to
the wall in the closing minutes of the game, it was the Tooreen
full back line of Mark Waldron, Adrian Judge and Michael Morley
who held their nerve to hold Four Roads out, before Freeman converted
his final free of the day in the 58th minute.
Tooreen now go forward to play Galway U-16 B Champions Beagh in
the Connacht Club final.
Tooreen: Keith Jordan; Mark Waldron, Adrian Judge, Michael Morley;
Cathal Freeman (0-4,4f), Joey Ganley (1-1), Greg Henry; Alan Freeman,
Daniel Jordan (1-0); Kenny Feeney (0-2,1f), Caoimhin Carty, Robert
Lyons; Ciaran Charlton, John Crinnegan, Paul Lawless.
Four Roads: Daniel Dolan; Cathal Kelly, Michael Caulty, Paul Donnelly;
James Donnelly, John Kelly (0-1,1f), Ciaran Dowd; Ciaran Dowd, Padraig
Kelly; Michael Rogerson (1-0), David Dolan (0-3,2f), Paul Neary;
Paul Higgins, Andy Lawler (0-1), John Coyne (1-0).
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