Sadly, it wasn’t to be for either Lahardane MacHales or Tooreen in their respective All-Ireland semi-final contests this afternoon. Lahardane lost narrowly to Multyfarnham of Westmeath in their All-Ireland JFC semi-final at Hyde Park while Tooreen were well beaten by Kilkenny’s Ballyragget in their All-Ireland IHC semi-final at Cusack Park in Ennis.
Photo: @LahardaneGAA
Lahardane were well in their match right to the end. Thanks to a goal from James Maughan they led by two points at the break but a second half surge from the Lake County club pushed them four clear and seemingly into the final.
But the Mayo lads came again, scoring 1-1 without reply late on, despite being down to fourteen men. Multyfarnham had the final say, though, as two late points clinched victory for them on a scoreline of 1-14 to 2-9. Match report by Colm Gannon of the Mayo Advertiser is here.
So it’s the end of the road for Lahardane after a wonderful journey that took them first to a county title and then soon after to provincial honours. The club paid tribute to players and supporters this evening in the following terms:
What incredible memories the squad have given us. Never would we have thought that the chants of ‘Lahardane, Lahardane, Lahardane’ would ring out so vigorously in MacHale Park and Hyde Park.
Thank you for your support, spirit and passion. ???#blackandamber— LahardaneMacHalesGAA (@lahardanegaa) January 20, 2018
Photo: @TooreenHurlers
At Cusack Park, Ennis, meanwhile, Tooreen were always up against it against Ballyragget. The Kilkenny club were six points to the good at half-time and they eased to an eleven-point win at the finish, coming out on top by 3-14 to 1-9. Páraic McMahon’s match report for The 42 is here.
Like Lahardane, Tooreen can look back on a campaign like no other for them, one that culminated in their becoming the first team from the county to win a Connacht IHC title. The club reflected on their journey this evening in the following way:
Thanks to all our supporters who travelled to Ennis today in such crowds and wore your colours with pride ??
So very proud of our lads and management @MayoGAA @AghamoreGAA @radiomidwest pic.twitter.com/piJeIB3cB1— Tooreen GAA Hurlers (@TooreenHurlers) January 20, 2018
Commiserations to both Lahardane and Tooreen on today’s results but well done to them on their achievements in getting as far as they did.
Was in the Hyde today and have to say that Lahardane did themselves proud, both players and supporters. But still they came up that bit short. When the chips were down Multy had that bit of coolness and calmness needed to get across the line. But good luck to Lahardane in the coming year in Intermediate football, may they continue to lead from thr front.
Very very proud of the never say die attitude of my local heroes Lahardane,while we led by 2 at halftime I was sure given our great second halves that we were nicely placed but Lady Luck with a ball coming off the upright for 1 of them to collect & bury to the net was a killer…some of the refereeing was questionable but that’s not an excuse.
Cormac Reilly’s goal into the top corner from an acute angle was unreal given its need with time up!.A great journey given that we weren’t supposed to win a county semi never mind an All-Ireland semi!.
Mairtinin says:
January 20, 2018 at 9:04 pm
I was at the game tooreen v B’Ragget.
I live in Limerick city so it was a short drive for me.
Fair play to the great crowd from Tooreen who came and supported their team all the way. Weather was dry, a good breeze against Tooreen in 1st half, then seemed to die a bit in the second! Pitch was very good, given the weather, a bit soft in spots but fine.
The team held their own for long periods, could have had another goal. They were a bit unlucky to concede 3 goals, yet then again they made a couple of miracle saves and clearances too, so in a way they could have conceded more.
Overall, they were a credit to their club and their county. I’m ballinrobe, so I’m more used to opposing Tooreen than to supporting them, but I went away proud of them tonight.
Well done to all, and best of luck to Ballyraggett, they deserved the win and they were made to work for it! They were a bit sharper in the tackle, especially near their own goal, they took some lovely long points, they had much slicker hand passing (more on that below!)
Ref was poor, seemed to allow KK men to run up on the backs of Mo men all day, did not pull up a lot of very borderline KK hand passing which looked more like baseball pitches to me. He did not change the result, the better team won, but he extended the gap on the scoreboard in my opinion.
Was in the Hyde yesterday, naturally very disappointed with the result but very proud of our lads. Could have gone either way. Anyway, we’re still Mayo and Connacht champions this morning, same as yesterday morning. It’s been a great year.
Hard to luck to Tooreen, they were in it at the three-quarter mark at just four points down, but the concession of a soft goal (full-back slipped gathering the sliotar) did for them. The Kilkenny men did show their class to stretch out their lead in the final stretch, but there was no dishonour in defeat for the Mayo champions.