‘The hurling club was growing. The village was falling apart’: In Mayo hurling heartland

When they say Tooreen came from nothing, it's not hyperbole. Now it's bigger than the tiny village that houses a special passion. And they're one game away from their field of dreams.

REMEMBERING 'TWINK': GAA president at the time Aogán Ó Fearghail with (from left), Séamus Freeman, Ita Freeman, Louise Freeman and Michael Connelly, then chairman of Mayo GAA at the dedication of the 'Adrian Freeman Cup'. Adrian Freeman died tragically in Australia in 2010 at the age of 24, and was one of Toreen's finest hurlers

Tooreen have made an offer we can’t refuse. Having recently lifted their third Connacht intermediate title in a row and their fourth in six years, the Mayo hurling club are once again striving to step out in the spotlight after decades of labouring in the dark.

In the build-to to Saturday’s All-Ireland club semi final, seven devoted clubmen sit in the community centre with their exhilaration. Come share in the fever. How could you not? This is the only dwelling available in the village to cater for the crowd. Its confines and stirring conversation combine to counter the chill.