Galway champions Athenry came up against an unexpected strong challenge from Mayo standardbearers Tooreen in this well contested and exciting Connacht club final at Garrymore in south Mayo yesterday.

Almost everyone expected a landslide, but Tooreen were no pushover. They adapted well to the awful underfoot conditions and gave Athenry a stern test that few could have anticipated in advance.

When Donal Moran rattled the Tooreen net for the opening score after just three minutes, a rout looked on the cards. Points from Eugene Cloonan and Diarmuid Burns left them five ahead after eight minutes.

Yet, Tooreen foraged well and closed down many an Athenry attack. Declan Greally picked off a fine point and fate smiled kindly on the Mayomen when a long range free from Johnny Cunnane was misjudged by Michael Crimmins and ended up in the Athenry net.

The Galway lads hit back with scores from Brendan Keogh and two from David Donoghue but Tooreen stayed in contention with points from Dom Greally and Johnny Cunnane and they trailed by just 1-7 to 1-3 at half-time.

Tooreen continued their proud performance after the resumption with Pat Freyne, Paul Hunt, Brian Delaney, Martin Trench and Dom Greally to the fore. One of the biggest cheers of the day was reserved for Tooreen goalie, Joe Henry, who converted a free from around 100 yards midway through the second half.

Athenry moved six clear but a brilliant point from Martin Trench left just five between them. Two points in the closing minutes by Eugene Cloonan finally staved off the marvellous Tooreen challenge and the Galwaymen, deservedly, went on to take the title.

ATHENRY: M Crimmins; E Keogh, G Keane, J Feeney; S Donoghue (0- 1), D Cloonan, P Hardiman; B Keogh (0-1), P Healy; D Moran (1-1), P Higgins, D Burns (0-2); C Moran, E Cloonan (0-6), D Donoghue (0-2). Subs: B Hanley for P Healy, J Rabbitte for D Burns.

TOOREEN: J Henry (0-1); S Ganley, B Delaney, A Hession; K Greally, P Freyne, L Greally; P Hunt, G Glavey; F Delaney, M Trench (0-1), Declan Greally (0-1); C Jordan, J Cunnane (1-2), Dom Greally (0-1). Sub: G Doherty for F Greally.

Referee: A Flaherty (Roscommon).