From Melbourne to Mayo.
On Saturday afternoon, Tooreen became the first Mayo hurling club to turn out in an All-Ireland semi-final as they took on St. Patrick’s Ballyragget.
Last November, Tooreen defied the odds to clinch the Connacht intermediate hurling championship in what was the club’s greatest achievement since their foundation in 1957, setting up this weekend’s clash in Ennis.
However, their dreams of a final in Croke Park were dashed as Ballyragget ran out 11-point winners. For Tooreen, it was the end of what has been a thrilling and emotional journey. Indeed, it’s been a season none of them will soon forget but, for their captain Stephen Coyne, the last few months will always hold a special place in his heart.
Coyne lined out proudly wearing the captain’s armband for Tooreen at Cusack Park on Saturday and it represented the culmination of a significant chapter in his life.
Pictured is Stephen Coyne who leads the Tooreen Hurlers into battle against the infamous Ballyragget of Kilkenny.
Get to Cusack Park, Ennis at 2pm tomorrow to see this magnificent club in action. -SM. #mayohurling #TheToughest #aibgaa pic.twitter.com/fA8UuxjV51— Mayo Gaelic Banter (@mayogaabanter) January 19, 2018
Coyne moved to Melbourne with his wife, Lisa, back in 2008 and has built a fine life for himself and his family Down Under – they have a newborn son, JJ – but he put everything in Australia on hold as he travelled back to Mayo for this season.
The reason? To have that feeling of playing for his hometown club once more. Before the championship began late last year, Stephen booked an open-ended ticket from Melbourne and has displayed an outstanding commitment to the Tooreen cause throughout this season.
AIB, who live-streamed the semi-final on Saturday, have captured his fascinating story, putting together a video which tells Coyne’s story.
It proves that, while GAA men can move to the other end of the world, they will never forget their roots. You can take the man out of the GAA club, but you most certainly cannot take the GAA club out of the man.
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