Mayo champs Tooreen prove too strong for Four Roads
Mayo senior hurling champions Tooreen proved too strong for their Roscommon counterparts, Four Roads, in the Connacht Intermediate Hurling Championship quarterfinal, winning by 5-36 to 0-14 at Dr. Hyde Park on Saturday.
Tooreen made an explosive start, with nine different scorers amassing 1-12 in the first 12 minutes.
On target were Shane Boland, Fergal Boland, Liam Lavin, Danny Huane and Eoin Delaney, with Delaney finding the net after his brothers David and Fionn were involved in the build-up.
With half-time approaching, Tooreen were 1-22 to 0-5 ahead before the Roscommon side scored two points in a row.
However, before they had two more points accumulated, Tooreen had further goals netted thanks to Eoin Delaney (two) and David Delaney (one).
Turning to the bench didn't slow their momentum. David Harrison and Cathal Freeman added further points, while Seán Kenny scored the fifth goal with his first possession, just seconds after entering the fray.
The fight in Four Roads came from younger players such as Gavin Meares, Oisín Finneran, Cormac Mulry, Rory Coyle and team captain Tommy Morris, but Tooreen still looked very comfortable.
Before the end, there was time for Oisín Greally, David Delaney and Huane to score points out of the top drawer, bolstering their momentum ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brothers Pearse of London, set for the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan at 1.30 p.m.
Reporting by Kevin Egan. Read Kevin's full report in Tuesday's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph