The whipping boys of the intermediate hurling championship in 2001, Turin showed a vast improvement last season to qualify for their first semi-final since 1998. Their championship ambitions were eventually ended by Ringtown, but Turin could still look back on the year with a certain degree of satisfaction. Not surprisingly, they intend to build on that progress this season. "After last year, I don't think too many teams will be taking us for granted," says goalkeeper John Gorman. "We had been stuck in a rut for a few years, but I think we turned the corner last year. We gave a good account of ourselves in most of our games and you would have to say that reaching the semi-final was a good achievement. As a result, we're approaching this year in a confident frame of mind and hopefully we can built on what we've already achieved," he adds. Gorman attributes Turin's dramatic change in fortunes to the input of manager Mick Murtagh, formerly of Clonkill and Westmeath fame. "Mick did a fantastic job in what was his first season in charge," he opines. "We were at a low ebb when he took over, but within a few months, he had instilled a lot of confidence and belief in us. He also blooded youngsters like Nigel Cully, Alan Aughey and Bryan Foley, all of whom will be central to our plans of winning a championship this year." Turin made a bright start to the championship when they defeated St. Brigid's by 2-10 to 2-5 on May 25. The team in red and white led by four points at the interval and went on to extend their advantage in the second half thanks to goals from Bernie Aughey and inter-county referee James McGrath. One week later, Turin fought out a 1-11 to 2-8 draw with Southern Gaels. Defeats to Delvin and Ringtown left them facing elimination, but a thrilling 2-9 to 1-11 victory over Lough Lene Gaels kept them on track. Going into their final game of the league series against Crookedwood, Turin's task was simple. They needed to win, otherwise their championship interests would be ended for another year. As it transpired, Mick Murtagh's charges produced an excellent display to defeat the 'Wood by 1-13 to 1-11 and progress to the semi-finals at Delvin's expense. Ringtown provided the semi-final opposition on September 21 at Loughegar and while Bernie Aughey opened the scoring for Turin, two goals inside the opening six minutes from Colm Murphy had Ringtown in the driving seat. Bryan Foley replied with a brace of points for Turin before Nigel Cully was unlucky not to find the net. Just when it appeared Turin were about to make a recovery, however, Dermot Cafferty blasted a third Ringtown goal to give them a 3-5 to 0-5 lead at the break. When Murphy completed his hat-trick of goals early in the second half, Turin found themselves 0-6 to 4-7 in arrears. In the final quarter, Nigel Cully pulled back two goals for Turin, but Ringtown still emerged as comfortable 4-10 to 2-8 winners. "We were always chasing the game after we conceded the two early goals. We tried hard to get back into contention, but Ringtown always seemed to be able to respond," Gorman recalls. Delvin proved to be something of a bogey side for Turin in 2002, eliminating them from both the junior 'B' championship and the Intermediate Cup. Before losing to the Valleymen in the Intermediate Cup semi-final, Turin had recorded a 2-13 to 0-9 victory over Ringtown in an earlier round. Considering Turin were short four regulars for the game, it was one of their best performances of the year. A lack of playing numbers had posed problems for Turin at underage level in recent years and this season, the club has decided to join forces with Lough Lene Gaels for the under 16 and minor grades. Turin will, however, go it alone at under 14 level this year and, according to Gorman, hopes are high for this particular team. "Numbers are a big problem for us and it makes sense to amalgamate with the Gaels in those grades where both clubs would be short on players. Turin has always been served well by big families, but those big families aren't there anymore," he explains. In March of last year, the official opening of the new stand at McCabe Park took place. To mark the occasion, challenge matches in hurling and camogie were played. The stand was erected in the memory of Vincent and Mary Cully who died in tragic circumstances a few years ago. Looking ahead to this year's intermediate championship, Gorman says it is Turin's ambition to win it. He feels the team now has the right blend of youth and experience, and can only get better under the guidance of Mick Murtagh who will once again be assisted in the selectorial duties by Donal Foley, Mick Heffernan and Matt Moore. "If we can improve at the same rate as last year, we'll definitely be in with a shout. While Cullion will be favourites on the basis that they were in a senior final two years ago, the likes of Crookedwood and St. Brigid's will also be fancying their chances. "Crookedwood will be determined to make amends for losing last year's final, while Brigid's will be boosted by last year's underage successes. But the incentive is there for us to become the first Turin team to win an intermediate championship and we intend to go one better than what was the case when we last contested the final in 1997." The Turin team which contested the intermediate championship semi-final was: John Gorman; John P Scally, Paul Mahon, Philip Aughey; Joe Matthews, Alan Aughey, John Heffernan; Christy Doyle, David Geoghegan; Bryan Foley, Frank Aughey, Ray Aughey; Nigel Cully, Chris Glynn, Bernie Aughey. Subs used: Dermot Brady and Ronan Carey. Tweet

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