This Intermediate Championship Round One game produced a cracker with Gaeil Fhanada fighting back from six behind to share the spoils with visitors Termon.
Gaeil Fhanada 1-11 v 0-14 Termon
By Charlie Collins
Termon played with a strong breeze in the opening and after a very cagey start by both teams had the better of things in the first fifteen minutes. James McSharry, Jack Alcorn and Steve McElwaine all scored good points from play.
Gaeil Fhanada had been happy to retain possession when they had it but finally raised a flag in the 14th minute with Alan McAteer’s point.
Anthony Grant added a fourth for Termon but Darren McElwaine quickly replied to leave it 0-02 to 0-04 in the 18th minute.
A minute later Termon had a great chance to push on into a good lead when Patrick McDaid was pulled down and referee Pat Barrett awarded a penalty.
Enda McCormick’s penalty was well struck but Mark McConigley made a super save diving to his left.
Termon won a 45 from the play that followed which Daire McDaid converted from near the sideline and Steve McElwaine quickly added his second of the game to make it a four point lead for Termon.
However Gaeil Fhanada responded well and midfielders Bernard McGettigan and Eoghan Carr both scored late in the half to leave two between them at half-time, 0-6 to 0-4 in Termon’s favour at the break, but Gaeil Fhanada were probably the happier team as they would have the advantage of the breeze in the second-half.
Bernard McGettigan kicked two excellent points from play in the opening minutes of the second-half, Daire McDaid replied for Termon in between those two and only one point separated the teams.
Termon upped their game and after Ryan McFadden’s pile driver hit the crossbar they hit three in a row, Enda McCormick, Steven Black and Steve McElwaine to lead by four.
Liam McGranaghan converted a 45 for the home team but three more in a row for Termon from McElwaine , McFadden and McCormick had them six ahead, 0-13 to 0-07 halfway through the half.
Gaeil Fhanada responded with a super Michael Sweeney blockbuster of a goal to get right back into the game with ten minutes left.
Enda McCormick kicked a free to make it a four point game yet again but in the final minutes Gaeil Fhanada rallied yet again with two super points from play by substitute Oisin Shiels and two frees from Liam McGranaghan to level the scoring at 1-11 to 0-14.
Daire McDaid had a late chance to win it for Termon but his effort from a long distance free into the wind drifted wide and it ended all square with the points shared.
Termon will feel that from six points ahead it was a point lost but Gaeil Fhanada deserve praise for a very spirited comeback.
Gaeil Fhanada: Mark McConigley, Odhran Shields, Jimmy Coyle, Sean Kerr, Michael Sweeney (1-0), Liam McGranaghan (0-3/2f’s),Ryan McGonagle ,Bernard McGettigan (0-3), Eoghan Carr (0-1), Darren McElwaine (0-1), Paddy Heraghty, James Kerr, Alan McAteer (0-1) , Paddy Carr, Seamie Friel.
Subs: Matthew Gallagher, James Gallagher and Conor Heraghty for Carr , Kerr and McAteer (40 mins) Oisin Shiels (0-2) for Paddy Heraghty (50mins).
Termon: Darragh Russell, Conor O Grady, Kevin McDaid, Oisin Cassidy, Steven Black (0-1), Caolan Gallagher, Ricky Gallagher, Ryan McFadden (0-1), James McSharry (0-1) , Anthony Grant (0-1), Enda McCormick (0-4/2f’s/45), Jack Alcorn (0-1), Patrick McDaid, Daire McDaid (0-2), Steve McElwaine (0-4).
Subs: Conor Black for Patrick McDaid ( h/t), Eoin Quinn for Steven Black (50mins).
Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford).
