Turin failed to register a single point in last year's Intermediate Hurling Championship, leaving them with a task Edmund Hillary would have relished for the coming year. Star forward Dickie Geoghegan airs his views on the situation. With his distinctive style and quick wit, Dickie Geoghegan is easily recognisable on a hurling pitch. He's the type of player who has an almost telepathic understanding of where the ball is going to land. The cute type, who sneaks in behind defenders using those predatory instincts inherent in all crafty forwards. And he's got a great eye for goal too. Dickie is one of the club's longest serving players. He has worn their jersey with distinction at every level and remains one of their most lethal attackers. It's five years now since he graced Cusack Park at right half forward on the side that faced Ringtown in the intermediate final, although he's the first to admit that things have gone drastically downhill since then. Turin have slumped to the bottom of the pile in the intermediate grade and are in desperate need of salvation. Last year's results were the worst in the club's history. They began the campaign with a resounding 2-16 to 1-7 defeat to Ringtown and a week later Crookedwood inflicted further misery on them when they had twelve points to spare over a beleaguered Turin side. A 1-17 to 0-13 defeat to Lough Lene Gaels was next, quickly followed by similar scoreline against both Delvin and St Oliver Plunketts. By the time they met Southern Gaels in the final group game they had all but lost interest, succumbing tamely by 4-10 to 1-7. Any hope of reprieve in the Intermediate Cup was dashed following a 3-9 to 2-7 defeat at the hands of St Brigid's. Many theories have been offered for this sudden collapse. From a lack of team spirit to the porousness of their defence. Dickie's contribution to the debate is to add another factor: resources. "I suppose our main problem is our shortage of players. Numbers are dwindling every year and there isn't enough young players coming through to take their places. It's a bleak situation but that's what we're dealing with." As Dickie pointed out, Turin's greatest problem is their lack of numbers. The club is situated in the hurling stronghold of North Westmeath but it faces stiff competition to entice players from neighbouring clubs. Clonkill being crowned county senior champions last year certainly won't help their cause so it appears as if the struggle is set to continue. "It's difficult for rural clubs like us to survive," he continues. "It's hard to compete with the likes of Clonkill because they have such a good set-up at the moment and parents will obviously want their children to play for a bigger club. We're depending primarily on the same families from the parish to keep providing players but that can't go on forever. Families are decreasing in size every year so there isn't enough players to go around. "But we're still producing some very talented hurlers, some of the finest in the county. We've always produced good hurlers down the years. Our problem isn't quality, it's quantity." Promising youngsters like Nigel Cully and James Boyle have represented Westmeath at minor level in recent years, which indicates that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The club also won the under-14 'A' championship back in 1998 so these players should be nearly ready to make the step up to a higher level. Turin may not hold fond memories of the 2001 championship but that won't dent their optimism for the challenge that awaits them this season. "People might think that Turin are a spent force but I wouldn't be inclined to agree," Dickie insists. "We may be struggling for numbers these days but the players we have got are capable of doing a lot better than last year's results suggest. Confidence for us is the most important thing. After we lost the first two games in last year's championship our confidence was gone and we played well below what we're capable of in the remaining games. "However, if we were to win one of our opening games this year then I think you'd see a completely different Turin team. It's amazing how much confidence a win can bring to a team. Numbers for training would increase and there'd be a far better atmosphere in the dressing room. Hopefully that'll be the case for us this year." There have been times when Dickie questioned why he was "doing it" in recent years although they were all short-lived. Having been introduced to hurling at an early age he soon established himself as one of Turin's finest prospects. His form line rose steadily each year to the apex of an intermediate final appearance in 1997. He also played in the junior 'B' final three years later when Delvin narrowly beat them. Hurling consumed him increasingly as the years passed, although he has lined out for St Loman's in various football competition. "I played a few football games a couple of years ago but hurling has always been my first preference." Turin held a meeting at the start of the year in a bid to change their fortunes. The views exchanged were frank and honest: players hadn't given enough commitment last year and that had to be addressed before they could attempt to move forward. "We never had a full turn-out at training last year," Dickie reveals. "There was always a few lads missing, which must have been very frustrating for the manager. You can't expect to win anything these days if you don't give the required level of commitment. That has been our downfall in recent years and it'll continue to be our downfall unless we turn things around." Geogeoghan isn't peddling any asinine words of intent for Cusack Park in September. Realism subverts the urge to a dream. Despite the authentic power of some quality players in their ranks, Turin still idle in the long grass of the chasing pack. County finals are for envy these days. He is phlegmatic about what has gone now. "We just have to work hard and try and get a run going," he offers. "I'd be the first to admit that we've slipped back in recent years but we're still capable of beating most teams on our day. We proved that when we beat St Brigid's two years ago and they went on to win the championship. Consistency is the key." Dickie Geogeoghan and his teammates have a point to prove to those who have written them off. What better way than a run in the championship. The ball is in their court. Tweet

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