Turin edge out Raharney in opening battle

Turin 2-14, Raharney 0-15

By Shane King

A warm summer evening in Lakepoint Park provided the backdrop as the 2025 Westmeath Intermediate Hurling Championship got underway, with neighbours Turin and Raharney meeting in an eagerly awaited opening-round clash.

A good crowd turned out to welcome the return of championship action, and they were treated to a competitive affair between teams made up of youthful promise and experienced composure. In the end, it was Turin who pulled away late on to claim a deserved five-point win and get their campaign off to a flying start.

Turin burst into life early on with wing forward Seán Leech taking full advantage of a poor Raharney clearance to fire home a goal inside the opening minute. That early blow set the tone for a strong opening spell, with points from Ray Aughey and PJ O’Neill quickly extending Turin’s lead to five. However, Raharney soon settled, with corner forward Aaron Reidy opening their account and adding a second shortly after, both set up by clever play from midfielder Joe Mulvaney. Mulvaney himself followed up with a fine point from distance, as Raharney fought their way back into the game.

The sides traded scores in an intense first half, with Donie Mullen drawing Raharney level at one stage through a superb long-range free, before Turin edged back in front with a placed ball from the ever-influential Seán Leech. Raharney had their first clear goal opportunity in the 11th minute after a defensive lapse from Turin, but Mulvaney’s strike was superbly saved by Eoin Aughey in the Turin goal. Moments later, Raharney again capitalised on a Turin mistake, with Reidy the provider for Mullen to slot over neatly.

Despite some handling errors and scrappy play from both teams, the game remained finely balanced. Turin regained momentum with an impressive solo run and point from Leech, who was causing persistent problems for the Raharney defence. The men in blue and white struggled at times to contain Turin’s pace and movement, and when Joe Mulvaney picked up a yellow card for a high tackle on Leech in the 17th minute, the latter punished the foul with another converted free.

Both sides had spells of dominance, but Turin finished the half marginally ahead. Alan Aughey impressed with a smart turnover and point from play, while Mullen kept Raharney within touching distance with a series of well-struck frees. As the half-time whistle sounded, Turin led 1-7 to 0-8, though the score line could have been very different if not for some missed goal chances for Raharney.

Turin again started the stronger in the second half. A solid interception and turnover by full-back Luke Gardiner initiated a move that ended with Oisín LeStrange firing over from play. Moments later, Turin’s pressure paid off again when Alan Aughey’s goal effort was initially collected by Raharney keeper Darragh Weir, only for the ball to slip through his grasp and roll into the net, giving Turin their second goal and a commanding seven-point lead.

To their credit, Raharney refused to lie down. Mullen added another fine point from play, before a sharp finish from Ray Aughey at the other end restored Turin’s cushion. However, discipline began to waver in the Turin defence, and Mullen made full use of a series of frees between the 45 and 65-metre lines, chipping away at the lead with his strong accuracy.

Khassim Carey made a quick impact after coming off the bench with a well-taken point after being set up by Seán Leech. While Raharney continued to press, with strong runs from Eoin Weir and Winston McHugh, they found it difficult to break down Turin’s composed defence. Mullen persisted to punish Turin’s fouls though, narrowing the margin to just three points midway through the second half.

Just as Raharney looked like they might mount a late surge, Turin steadied the ship. Alan Aughey pointed from a free to give them breathing room, though Mullen responded in kind shortly after for the Raharney men. Ultimately, it was Turin who finished the stronger, with Ray Aughey notching two late points, one from play and one from a free, to secure a deserved five-point victory.

Scorers - Turin: S. Leech 1-4 (3f), R. Aughey 0-4 (1f), A. Aughey 1-3 (1f), PJ. O’Neill, O. LeStrange and K. Carey 0-1 each. Raharney: D. Mullen 0-11 (9f), A. Reidy 0-2, J. Mulvaney and J. Carr 0-1 each.

Turin: Eoin Aughey, Seán Scally, Luke Gardiner, John Egan, Craig Neville, Danny McGrath, Jack Dowling, Declan McGrath, Ciarán Kiernan, Seán Leech, Oisín LeStrange, PJ O’Neill, Damien Keogh, Alan Aughey and Ray Aughey.

Subs used: Khassim Carey for Keogh (35).

Raharney: Darragh Weir, Conor Donoghue, Jack Coyne, Matt Shaw, Cian Weir, Pearse Weir, David Weir, Joe Mulvaney, Winston McHugh, Donnie Mallen, Jamie Carr, Eoin Weir, Aaron Reidy, Ryan O’Neill and Mark Doherty.

Subs used: Ryan Murphy for C. Weir (51) and F. Reilly for Carr (54).

Ref: Bernard Heaney