Black and Ambers prove too strong as Turin fade

Castletown Geoghegan 3-15, Turin 1-11

Paul Doolin

On Friday night last in Raharney, when one would not have put a milk bottle out such was the downpour, Castletown Geoghegan and Turin treated the small, but very wet attendance to a fine game of hurling played in what can only be described as pre-flood conditions. How any sort of game was played was a credit to both teams in fairness and in the torrential downpour from start to finish, and in very diminishing light, both served up as best a fare as they could. In the end, the two points went to Castletown who rallied late on to claim the spoils here, even if the 10-point winning margin flatters them slightly.

That being said, when the game was in the melting pot it was Castletown who took the bull by the horns and showed immense skill in monsoon like conditions to keep their season alive at Intermediate level. Turin never once threw in the towel even when things went against them and still have a chance to make a play-off themselves with one game to go and indeed both might have another crack at each other, hopefully in better conditions before the end of Championship 23.

Turin got off to a flier with points from Padraig Tormey and a Derek Hourihane free after three minutes before two excellent Dean Slevin strikes levelled matters for Castletown and even managed to miss a penalty in that period thanks to a brave Eoin Aughey save in the Turin goal. Danny McGrath netted for the Reds after a super tap down from Alan Aughey and David McGrath added a point from play as Turin opened a four-point gap, but a long range Shane Doran free narrowed matters for Castletown.

Danny McGrath and Cian Gavigan for Castletown exchanged super points before Hourihane from a free restored the four-point gap, after Castletown goalie Eoin Glennon made two unbelievable saves to deny Turin a goal they probably deserved at that this juncture.

It seemed to ignite Castletown thereafter and they scored the next 1-5 without replay before the interval with two more Doran frees, Conal Fagan, Cian Gavigan and Eoin Kiernan from play, plus a marvellous goal from Peter Murphy.

It meant Castletown lead by 19 to 1-5 at the short whistle.

Murphy added two more from play on the restart as Castletown upped the ante in the gathering gloom, but Hourihane (free) and Jack Penrose from play (after a storming Sean Leech run) saw Turin nullify them immediately and we looked to have a game on our hands.

But as the light faded so too did Turin and Castletown began to hit their stride, with Slevin pointing a beauty and then Conor Lynch somehow managing to flick to the net after a goalmouth scramble.

Murphy and Fagan added super points as Castletown began to see the finish line but Hourihane kept Turin somewhat in touch with a free until Lynch netted his second and Castletown’s third goal on 51 minutes to as good as seal the win and dispel any lingering signs of a comeback. Ray Aughey pointed three frees in-a-row for Turin, but they needed goals in order to make any serious dent.

However, they found Castletown in defiant mode at the back. Indeed, it was the winners who missed a second late penalty before Shane Doran converted the '65' for a well-earned and emphatic win for the Black and Ambers that was barely visible such was the fading light.

Scorers - Castletown Geoghegan: Conor Lynch 2-0, Peter Murphy 1-3, Shane Doran 0-4 (3 frees 1 65’), Dean Slevin 0-3, Cian Gavigan and Conal Fagan 0-2 each, Eoin Kiernan 0-1.

Turin: Danny McGrath 1-1, Derek Hourihane 0-4 (3 frees 1 65’), Ray Aughey 0-3 (all frees), David McGrath, Padraig Tormey and Jack Penrose 0-1 each.

Castletown Geoghegan: Eoin Glennon, Fergal O’Brien, Mikey Lynam, Odhran Gavigan, Paddy Doran, Sean Jackson, Shane Doran, Eoin Kiernan, Cian Gavigan, Conal Fagan, Conor Lynch, Darren Ruane, Dean Slevin, Andy Conway and Peter Murphy. Subs: Paul O’Sullivan for Paddy Doran (39 mins), Peter Dalton for Fagan (48 mins), Andrew Corbett for Conway and Andy Dalton for Ruane (60 mins).

Turin: Eoin Aughey, Sean Scally, Khassim Carey, Jack Dowling, Oisin L’Estrange, Sean Leech, David McGrath, Craig Neville, Declan McGrath, Derek Hourihane, Padraig Tormey, Fergal Kent, Danny McGrath, Alan Aughey and Jack Penrose. Subs: Andy Corcoran for Penrose (39 mins), Ciaran Kiernan for Kent (45 mins), Ray Aughey for Hourihane (50 mins), Conor Craig for Carey (54 mins).

Ref: Sean Carroll (Cullion).

Examiner's Eye on game

Man of The Match

Peter Murphy (Castletown Geoghegan): Both goalies, Eoin Glennon for Castletown and Eoin Aughey for Turin deserved special praise for some outstanding saves throughout, while Leech and the McGraths tried their utmost for Turin. For the winners, Fergal O’Brien, Sean Jackson, Ruane and Peter Murphy stood out and it is the latter who gets the nod just for his all-round 60 minute display.