Turin edge out Southern Gaels to secure final place

Slevin's Coaches Westmeath Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final

Turin 1-13 Southern Gaels 0-15

It was not a day for the faint-hearted in Decotek Park, Collinstown, on Saturday last. The aftermath of Storm Amy was evident as the wind blew strong and the rain came down, but not even that could derail the Turin express as they pipped Southern Gaels to a place in the Westmeath IHC final.

Just a point separated the teams at the final whistle, Turin’s tenacity and endurance well and truly tested by strong opponents who almost forced the contest to extra-time. In the end an inspired performance from impressive centre back Darragh Smith proved crucial to the outcome and Turin are finally back in an Intermediate decider after a 28-year wait.

At half-time Turin were four points clear (1-7 to 0-6) having played with the aid of the strong breeze, but it looked tenuous and when Southern Gaels got level in the 54th minute, the Athlone side appeared to have the momentum, with Seán Dowd showing outstanding accuracy. Crucially, Smith (a free) and substitute Khassim Carey notched two vital scores to steady the ship and Turin did enough to set up a meeting with St Brigid’s on Saturday week.

Turin took the lead with a pointed free from Seán Leech in the fifth minute, but he had an indifferent afternoon from placed balls. Wing back Dermot Treacy levelled matters, before a neat finish by Alan Aughey put Turin ahead again, but they were missing some decent chances with the elements in their favour and Southern Gaels punished them as Seán Dowd shot over a free.

The Shannonsiders led by two points at the end of the first quarter following points by Seán Dowd and centre forward John Martin. However, Turin swooped for a crucial goal after some slick inter play in attack (17th minute). Alan Aughey and Seán Leech were initially involved and the latter’s pass across the square found Conor Leech, who shot low past Jonathan Keogh for the game’s only major.

It was a pivotal moment. Southern Gaels attacked in search of a goal on 21 minutes, with Seamus Hoctor and Seán Murphy involved, but Turin cleared the danger in gritty style and that was generally the story of this match.

Seán Dowd hit a fine point into the breeze on 23 minutes, but Turin replied with a converted ‘65’ from Darragh Smith who took over the free-taking duties and, in general, the little tweaks Turin made worked to their advantage. After Seán Dowd and Smith exchanged points from frees, a long delivery by Dowd had Turin supporters agonising, but Seán Scally swiped away another clearance. And at the other end, PJ O’Neill shot over from play. Three minutes into added time, Ray Aughey converted a free and Turin held a four-point advantage at the break.

Smith pointed a free a minute after the restart to increase Turin’s lead and they held sway throughout the third quarter, despite Dowd’s brace of points from a ‘65’ and a free. Smith struck a free with a low trajectory to spit the posts in the 41st minute.

But this game was far from over, an excellent point by Seamus Hoctor, who was hugging the sideline, keeping Southern Gaels firmly in contention. After Smith converted a free, Seán Dowd replied in similar fashion and the Southern Gaels defence held firm when Ray Aughey had a half chance.

An outrageous point by Chulainn Dowd left just two between the sides before a Smith free on 51 minutes made it 1-11 to 0-11. Southern Gaels shot three unanswered points per Seán Dowd (two frees) and hs brother Chulainn, to leave it all square with six minutes of normal time remaining.

It was a tense battle and there were plenty of verbal exchanges as Seán Dowd clashed with the Turin substitutes and mentors on a couple of occasions and when he missed, the Turin retorts inevitably followed.

The game was in the melting pot and Turin got two massive scores as Smith converted a free and O’Neill set up substitute Khassim Carey for their final point.

They still had six minutes to endure and Southern Gaels applied pressure - Seán Dowd with a great long-range point from a free in his own half-back line in added time. He had another more difficult free with the final puck of the game, but he sent the ball wide and the puckout heralded the final whistle.

Turin celebrated the end of semi-final heartache and they can at last look forward to a big day against St Brigid’s on Saturday week, in what will be a proud occasion for the club.

Man of the match: Darragh Smith (Turin). The talented centre back stepped up to take over the free-taking duties and showed skill and maturity as he shot over some crucial points for the winners.

Score of the match: Chulainn Dowd’s quite outrageous point from an impossible angle in the 54th minute, a score that brought Southern Gaels level and gave them every chance of victory.

Scorers - Turin: D Smith 0-7 (6f, 1 ‘65’); C Leech 1-0; A Aughey 0-2; S Leech (free), PJ O‘Neill, R Aughey (f) and K Carey 0-1 each. Southern Gaels: S Dowd 0-10 (7f, 1 ‘65’); C Dowd 0-2l D Treacy, J Martin and S Hoctor 0-1 each.

Turin - Eoin Aughey; Seán Scally, Luke Gardiner, Peter Finch; Craig Neville, Darragh Smith, Jack Geoghegan; Declan McGrath, Ciaran Kiernan; Seán Leech, Oisin L’Estrange, PJ O’Neill; Conor Leech, Alan Aughey, Ray Aughey. Subs: Andrew Corcoran for L’Estrange (26), Khassim Carey for R Aughey (48).

Southern Gaels - Jonathan Keogh; Graham Houlihan, Diarmaid Murtagh, Chulainn Dowd; Dermot Treacy, Diarmuid Martin, Cian McCarthy; Cian Geary, Seán Dowd; Eamon Martin, John Martin, Luke Whelan; Seamus Hoctor, MJ Kelly, Seán Murphy. Subs: Jamie Anders for Kelly (inj., 49), Dean Burns for J Martin (52), Neal Rattigan for Treacy (inj., 60+1).

Referee - Ken Gunning (St Brigid’s).