Heffernan's wonder point guides Turin to semi-final

Turin 0-21, Leixlip 0-20

Tenacious Turin traversed troubled waters before navigating their way into the Leinster Junior Club hurling championship semi-final at Killucan on Saturday, where they had a solitary point to spare against a strong Leixlip side.

Eight second-half wides, and 12 in total, would have sunk a team of lesser character, but instead Turin stayed afloat. Even when they were three points behind for the first time in the 48th minute, they didn’t panic, and a terrific spell saw substitute Eoin McGrath, wing-forward Seán Leech and corner-forward Conor Leech each register crucial points. Twice more the Turin men fell behind, but each time they found a response, and eventually Conor Heffernan and McGrath shot the two decisive scores on the hour mark.

Heffernan’s was a point for the ages, a wonder strike from near the Turin dugout that sailed between the uprights. It was sublime. And even though Leixlip hit back in added time, Turin had done enough, Darragh Smith’s late clearance heralding the final whistle. Overall, it was a compelling joust between two seriously committed teams, Leixlip determined to progress having came into this tie without playing the Kildare final after Naas were unable to field in the rescheduled game (originally cancelled due to poor weather).

At half-time, Leixlip were leading by 0-11 to 0-9 in pretty ideal playing conditions for November. The sides had been level four times before Turin took a lead of 0-8 to 0-5 after PJ O’Neill latched on to Eoin Aughey’s puckout and fired over. Leixlip responded with five unanswered points at this stage before a wonderful long-range free from Heffernan left the hosts just a point adrift.

Centre-forward Cian Bracken (three), wing-forward Darragh Melville and his comrade Seán O’Connor all shot points for a Leixlip side that looked capable of establishing a strong position. Turin refused to capitulate and, despite their scoring lull in the second quarter, Heffernan’s free gave them plenty of hope at the break.

Earlier, the accuracy of Heffernan (0-4; two frees, one ‘65’) and centre-back Darragh Smith (0-2; one free) ensured Turin remained firmly in contention.

The second half began with a Seán Leech point after 30 seconds, and it was an early show of defiance from the Turin men. Their finishing touch seemed to desert them, however, and at the end of the third quarter, Leixlip still held a slender lead (0-15 to 0-14). Turin always battled, but they were struggling to get their noses in front.

As the third quarter unfolded, Heffernan hit two frees to level it before Bracken and Darragh Melville had the Kildare side two points clear. Heffernan again converted a free and shot over a neat score from play after Ciaran Kiernan and Conor Leech combined in a lovely move. However, Leixlip regained the lead four times in a tit-for-tat second half, and when they produced a purple patch to go 0-17 to 0-14, it seemed like they were destined to end Turin’s great season.

Substitute Dylan Doherty was the man to ensure that three-point lead when he slotted over in the 49th minute, but Turin found a response. Seán Leech’s surge led to McGrath’s point, and that was the catalyst. Seán Scally, their gritty corner-back, cleared long to find Seán Leech, who shot over, and then his brother, Conor, found the target to level matters by the 54th minute.

Bracken restored Leixlip’s lead with a converted free; Heffernan replied for the Westmeath side in the 57th minute, and it was still all square after the same two players traded further frees.

With a minute remaining, extra-time was looming large. But Heffernan took a pass from substitute Ray Aughey near the sideline and, with little space in which to manoeuvre, he managed to produce a stunning point to give Turin the lead again (0-20 to 0-19).

Crucially, Conor Leech picked out McGrath, who shot his second point, and the Turin supporters were now dreaming of a Leinster semi-final. Bracken’s pointed free in response meant there was further work to do, but Turin were not to be denied.

Having won their first Intermediate title in Westmeath after a 41-year wait for silverware at this level (they did win a Junior ‘B’ hurling title last year), Turin are riding the crest of a wave.

Westmeath hurling needed a lift, and Turin delivered.

Scorers - Turin: C Heffernan 0-13 (8f; 1 ‘65’), D Smith (1f), S Leech and E McGrath 0-2 each, PJ O’Neill and C Leech 0-1 each.

Leixlip: C Bracken 0-9 (6f), D Melville 0-5, S O’Connor 0-2, J Evans, C Harrington, C Melville and D Doherty 0-1 each.

Turin: Eoin Aughey; Seán Scally, Derek Hourihane, Declan McGrath; Craig Neville, Darragh Smith, Peter Finch; Jack Geoghegan, Ciaran Kiernan; Conor Heffernan, PJ O’Neill, Seán Leech; Conor Leech, Alan Aughey, Brian Aughey. Subs: Eoin McGrath and Ray Aughey for O’Neill and B Aughey (50).

Leixlip: Keith O’Callaghan; Cillian Nicholson, Ryan Doyle, Joseph Evans; Conall Henson, Jack McGonigle, James Canning; Cathal Derivan, Eoghan Harrington; Seán O’Connor, Cian Bracken, Darragh Melville; Cillian Harrington, Stephen Ryan, Cathal Melville. Subs: Cormac Keegan for C Melville (43), Dylan Doherty for Derivan (47), Dara De Búrca for C Harrington (56).

Referee: Colin Bailey (Laois).