KILLYBEGS 1-12 V 0-10 TERMON. Led by six excellent points from the boot of County player Hugh Mc Fadden, Killybegs left their dismal League form behind them and took a big step towards a last eight spot in the Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure Senior Championship. A draw against Naomh Mhuire at home next weekend will be enough to ensure that quarter-final place, while a victory could see them top the Group B table. Charlie Collins watched the action. Things didn’t start too well for the home team as two Enda Mc Cormick points and a third from Caolan Mc Daid got Termon off to the perfect start inside the first ten minutes. However the teams were level in the 11th minute when Jack Mc Sharry’s high ball from 45mts dropped short and Evan Broderick fisted the ball to the Termon net. Daire Mc Daid restored the visitors lead but Broderick pointed when put through for another goal chance. Hugh Mc Fadden knocked over a free from the right to give Killybegs the lead for the first time in the 16th minute, after a nine minute period without a score Daire Mc Daid levelled it at 1-02 to 0-05. Mc Fadden and Kevin Mc Daid exchanged points but in the final four minutes of the half Killybegs hit three in a row through Daniel Breslin, Christopher Murrin and a 45 from Hugh Mc Fadden the lead by three at half-time, 1-06 to 0-06. After Mc Fadden had somehow kicked a close-in free wide, Enda Mc Cormick pointed a free and then Termon had a big goal chance. An excellent build-up created a opportunity for Daire Mc Daid, his first drive for goal was brilliantly and bravely blocked by Ciaran Conaghan and Mc Daid’s follow up came back off the crossbar, a big let off for Killybegs. Mc Fadden and Jimmy Gallagher then exchanged quick points to leave still two in it but the ten minutes that settled the game then arrived as the home team hit four in a row without reply from Termon. Daniel Breslin’s second, another Mc Fadden 45, sub John Ban Gallagher and Christopher Murrin’s second of the game left five in it and game over. Kevin Mc Daid and sub James Mc Sharry kicked Termon points but fittingly Hugh Mc Fadden’s towering free from 44 yards ended the scoring and edged Killybegs towards a last eight place. In the other game in the Group B, Burt beat Naomh Mhuire by 0-11 to 1-06 and now play Termon next weekend in Burt with a Quarter-Final spot at stake. KILLYBEGS; Michael Mullin, Chris Cunningham, Ciaran Conaghan, Stephen Muirhead, Eoin Gallagher, Shane Molloy, Jack Mc Sharry, Pauric Conaghan, Hugh Mc Fadden ( 0-6 3f 2/45 ), Sean Gorrell, Christopher Murrin ( 0-2 ), Daniel Breslin ( 0-2 ), Daniel O Keeney, Brendan Mc Guire, Evan Broderick ( 1-1 ). SUBS; John Ban Gallagher ( 0-1 ) for Broderick ( 41mins ), Jack Behan for Gorrell ( 59mins ). TERMON ; Michael Boyle, Declan O Donnell, Kevin Mc Daid ( 0-2 ), Fintan O Flynn, Steve Mc Elwaine, Nathan Mc Elwaine, Dan Conaghan, Jimmy Gallagher ( 0-1 ), Aiden Sweeney, Johnny Mc Cafferty, Daire Mc Daid ( 0-2 1f ), Enda Mc Cormick ( 0-3 2f ) Caolan Mc Daid ( 0-1 ), Anthony Mc Grenra, Kevin Mc Elwaine. SUBS; Shane Doherty for Caolan Mc Daid ( inj 33mins ), Shane Gallagher for O Flynn ( 41mins ), James Mc Sharry ( 0-1 ) for Steve Mc Elwaine ( 49mins ) and Paul Mc Daid for Dan Conaghan ( 59mins ). REFEREE; Mark Dorrian ( Gaeil Fhanada ).
Chris McNulty
Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.