By Charlie Collins
Glenswilly 1-10 v 0-08 Termon
Seven points from Man of the Match Keelan Dunleavy and a super second-half performance as they conceded just two points sent Glenswilly’s Under 21 team to a County Final against Gweedore.
Emmet O Boyle got the crucial goal in this hard fought encounter but this was an excellent team performance by Glenswilly who were without their top scorer Daithi Gildea.
This semi-final derby clash came about after both teams finished behind Gweedore in the Group but then came through their quarter-finals. Glenswilly won the Group game by four points but Termon were missing several first-choice players on that occasion. Termon started well with three points in a row, Oisin Harkin, John James Sweeney and Mark Gallagher converting.
Glenswilly responded with five in a row, Keelan Dunleavy got four of those, Jack Gallagher the other. Bobby McGettigan and Sweeney got Termon back on level terms, 0-05 points apiece. Dunleavy kicked his fifth to restore Glenswilly’s lead but Ciaran Cassidy’s point left the team’s level at the break 0-06 apiece and all to play for.
Kevin McGettigan and Oisin Harkin gave Termon a quick two point lead at the start of the second-half but Dunleavy replied with his sixth point from a free. John Quinn denied Ciaran Cassidy with a super save and Emmet Maguire did likewise to deny Jack Gallagher almost immediately at the other end as the game rolled from end to end. However Maguire could do nothing a few minutes later when Jack Gallagher set up Emmet O Boyle who hammered the ball to the top corner, Keelan Dunleavy kicked his seventh point an Glenswilly led by three, 1-08 to 0-08.
John James Sweeney received a black card to leave Termon down to 14 men with it all to do in the final ten minutes. Their task got tougher when Sean Collum and Gerard Shiels points made it a five point game as the clock ran down. And it ended 1-10 to 0-08 and a final spot against Gweedore in that final next weekend.
Glenswilly: John Quinn, Jamie McCauley, Jake Kelly, Oisin McDaid , Gerard Shiels (0-01), Mikey Toner, Donal Gallagher, Jack Gallagher (0-01), Sean Collum (0-01), Gary Kelly, Darragh Enright, Reid Kelly, Emmet O Boyle (1-00), Eoghan Scott, Keelan Dunleavy (0-07). Subs used: Dylan McAteer, Oisin McGrenra, Aidan Friel, Conal Gallagher.
Termon: Emmet Maguire, Conor Cassidy, Cormac Gallagher, Emmet McGettigan, Jamie Grant, Cormac Brady, Evan Keown, Jack Alcorn, Kevin McGettigan (0-01), Ciaran Cassidy (0-01), Bobby McGettigan (0-01), John-James Sweeney (0-02), Oisin Harkin(0-02), Gary McGettigan, Mark Gallagher(0-01) Subs used: Conor Black, Caolan Curran.
Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford).