Turin experienced an all too familiar feeling in 2008 when they lost their fifth intermediate hurling semi-final in seven years. But despite that frustrating record, they are far from downbeat as chairman John P Scally explains. Despite showing a marked improvement on their 2007 form under new manager Noel Boyce, Turin once again fell at the penultimate hurdle in their quest to finally get their hands on the intermediate hurling championship last year. A 0-8 to 1-11 defeat to champions-elect Brownstown means that Turin have now lost five semi-finals in seven years. But while such a record would demoralise most teams, chairman John P Scally insists that confidence remains high and the McCabe Park outfit will never give up on their dream of playing senior hurling. "The goal for this year is the same as it has been for the last 10 years - to get into the intermediate final and win it," he defiantly says. "We are not proud of our semi-final record and we intend to put that right sooner rather than later. It has been a big stumbling block for us. But overall, I thought our performances were a good bit better last year than they had been in previous years. Brownstown were the only team to beat us and they went on to win the final. And while it was disappointing to lose to the eventual winners once again, we had a decent enough year and have plenty to build on." Scally, who continues to line out for Turin despite turning 43 in February and is also club sponsor, attributes their improved '08 form to the input of Ringtown man Noel Boyce and their participation in the Leinster junior league, which he feels was ideal preparation for the championship. "Noel has a great record as a coach, and it was a big boost to us to get him on board. We started off the year in the Leinster league and got to the semi-final after beating Dublin and Wicklow opposition and drawing with a team from Wexford. Unfortunately, a Dublin team then beat us, but it was great preparation for the championship nonetheless. "At the same time, we used our Division 2 league campaign to blood new players. We lost a few games because of this, but it was a sacrifice well worth making." Under the guidance of Boyce and his selectors Frank Aughey, Joe Matthews, John Heffernan and Ollie Fox, Turin opened their championship campaign with an excellent 2-11 to 0-8 victory over eventual finalists St. Brigid's in Moate. The sides were level on 0-6 apiece at half-time, with Ray Aughey accounting for 0-4 of Turin's tally. It remained close throughout the second half until the final 10 minutes when Alan Aughey came off the substitutes' bench to score 2-1 and give the red and whites the win. Turin made it two wins from two when overcoming Southern Gaels by 3-12 to 2-13 at St. Loman's Lakepoint Park. First half goals from Barry Nea and Clive O'Callaghan helped the North Westmeath side to a 2-7 to 1-7 interval lead, and they extended their advantage after the restart when Dickie Geoghegan hit two points and Neil McDermott added a third goal. But their Athlone opponents battled back before late scores from Ray and Alan Aughey sealed victory for Turin. Noel Boyce's charges had to settle for a 0-6 each draw with neighbours Delvin in their third outing at Lakepoint Park. Ray Aughey, Barry Nea and Alan Aughey were Turin's scorers in a game which was spoiled by the terrible weather conditions. Turin continued to lead the way alongside Delvin in the championship following their third victory over St. Oliver Plunkett's second team. The match was deadlocked at half-time, 1-1 to 0-4, after Alan Aughey goaled directly from a '65. But it was one-way traffic in the second half with further majors from Aughey and Derek Hourihan propelling the red and whites to a 3-11 to 0-6 win. Turin booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-12 to 1-7 victory over local rivals Cullion at Loughegar. Despite hitting 11 first half wides, the winners led 3-5 to 1-2 at half-time thanks to goals from Alan Aughey (two) and Derek Hourihan. Points from Kevin Gilroy, Andy Corcoran and Aughey increased Turin's lead on the resumption before Cullion rallied with efforts from Hugh McConnell and Robbie Galvin. But they left themselves with too much to do and Turin put the game beyond their reach with further scores from Sean Scally and Ray Aughey. Brownstown condemned Turin to their first defeat in what was dress rehearsal for the semi-final. First half goals from former county footballer Dermot Brady and Sean Scally gave the losers a 2-3 to 1-3 cushion at the break, but Brownstown came good in the second half to run out 1-12 to 2-6 winners. Turin completed their programme of group matches with a 0-15 to 1-6 over Clonkill's second string. With local pride at stake, it was an important win for Turin who had impressive scoring contributions from Ray Aughey and Derek Hourihan. Ahead of their second instalment against Brownstown, the question of everyone's lips was: could Turin finally break their semi-final hoodoo? Sadly for them, the answer was 'no' as the Archestown Blues coasted to a 1-11 to 0-8 victory at sun-drenched Loughegar on September 21. A fortuitous goal from midfielder Johnny McGuinness in the ninth minute ensured Brownstown of a 1-5 to 0-6 lead, and they went from strength to strength in the second half to run out comfortable winners. It must be said that Turin responded very positively to McGuinness' goal, hitting five unanswered points in the space of 13 minutes to edge ahead by the 22nd minute. But three late points from Philip Gilsenan (two) and McGuinness had Brownstown ahead at the break. Two points from Alan and Frank Aughey within four minutes of the restart had the sides on level terms, but Turin then gradually faded out of the game as Brownstown, and McGuinness in particular, took control. "We couldn't have any complaints, we didn't perform on the day and Brownstown were full value for their win. Dermot Brady, who had been doing well at centre forward, was suspended and he was obviously a loss, but I wouldn't go as far as to say his absence cost us the game," Scally ruefully reflects. Brownstown also defeated Turin in the junior 'B' semi-final before going on to lose the final to Fr. Dalton's. "I suppose you could say they were a thorn in our side last year, but 2009 is a new year and we now have an opportunity to make amends," the evergreen full back says. "Andy Corcoran has emigrated to Australia and won't be easily replaced in midfield, but I'm still hopeful that we'll finally make the breakthrough. Noel Boyce has agreed to stay with us for another year and if we can continue to improve, we should be there or thereabouts." Undoubtedly the most positive development in Turin in recent years has been the revival of their underage structure. Threatened by the possibility of going out of existence in a few years, club members realised that the only way to safeguard their future was to go back to basics and concentrate on the youth. "If we continued to have underage structure, we mightn't have a club in five or six years, so something had to be done," Scally explains. "We started indoor hurling for players between the ages of six and 12 three years ago and we now have about 80 underage players on our books. We will be fielding on our own at under 12 level this year after combining with Cullion (Clann Lir) last year. We're starting from the bottom and trying to work our way up." Scally and the other Turin underage mentors took tremendous encouragement from the under 8 team's performances in both the Croke Park blitz and Mattie Greville tournament last summer. They finished runners-up to host club Raharney in the Matty Greville tournament and beat Tullaroan of Kilkenny by nine goals to six on a memorable day at GAA headquarters on July 12 last. "It was a huge thing for the young lads to play in Croke Park, and to beat a top hurling power from Kilkenny was certainly an added bonus." The well-known building contractor concludes by saying: "To cater for our underage players and St. Munna's camogie club, we are developing a second smaller pitch at the rear of McCabe Park. The main pitch is in big demand at the moment and having a second pitch will take a lot of the pressure off it." The Turin team which lost the IHC semi-final to Brownstown was: John Gorman (captain); Christy Doyle, Barry Aughey, Robert Nea; Brian Foley, Barry Nea, Ronan Leavy; Kevin Kilroy, Andy Corcoran; Ray Aughey, Derek Hourihan, Frank Aughey; Alan Aughey, John Scally, Sean Scally. Subs used: Aidan O'Neill, Eoin Ward and Ollie Fox. Tweet

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