Termon 1-08 v 1-11 Derrylaughan
By Charlie Collins at Healy Park, Omagh
Donegal’s Intermediate Championship winners Termon made the relatively short journey to Healy Park in Omagh to take on the Tyrone champions Derrylaughan in what was expected to be a tough task for Caolan McDaid’s young team.
Termon squad before Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Termon manager Caolán McDaid during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Termon started well with points from Jamie Grant and John James Sweeney in the two minutes and when Enda McCormick and Jack Alcorn both scored from play they led by four after just seven minutes as their opponents struggled to find any kind of form.
And things got better for Termon in the tenth minute when Derrylaughan failed to deal with a high dropping ball and that allowed Patrick Fegan to flick the ball into the net and suddenly Termon led by 1-04 to no score.
Termon’s Patrick Fegan sets up a first half attack during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
That fact seemed to finally get the Tyrone men into attacking action with five points in a row, one from Conor Hughes and then four from the impressive Tomas Carney, 1-04 to 0-05 and just two between them. The momentum was now with Derrylaughan and Sean Robinson pointed to leave just one in as half-time beckoned.
Not surprisingly they were back on level terms with their seventh point in a row from James Donnelly’s boot, 1-04 to 0-07.
Termon’s Jack Alcorn breaks for goal during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
That’s how it remained until half-time as Termon failed to score from the ninth minute as Derrylaughan headed to the dressing room much the happier team after that fast start by Termon.
The Donegal men made a fast start to the second-half with points from John James Sweeney and Jack Alcorn but Tomas Carney replied from a free with his fifth point. A couple of minutes later Derrylaughan were ahead for the first time, that man Tomas Carney was on the end of a good move to slot the ball passed Emmet Maguire and when Liam Garvan kicked a point the Tyrone men lad by 1-09 to 1-06 and Termon will it all to do.
Termon’s Bobby McGettigan on a strong run during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Tomas Carney kicked a super long range free to bring his tally to 1-06 and Derrylaughan four ahead, 1-10 to 1-06. Kiernan Gervin and Jamie Grant exchanged points as time ran-out with Termon’s long scoreless periods in the game proving very costly against a team that didn’t panic after going those seven points behind inside the opening ten minutes.
Daire McDaid converted a free but Derrylaughan saw it out to advance to the next round of the championship.
Termon: Emmet Maguire; Cormac Callaghan, Ricky Gallagher, Cormac Brady, Patrick Fegan (1-00), Conor Cassidy, Jamie Grant (0-02), Bobby McGettigan, Ryan McFadden, John James Sweeney (0-02), Kevin McGettigan, James McSharry, Daire McDaid (0-01), Enda McCormick (0-01), Jack Alcorn (0-02). Subs used: Cian McMenamin, Conor Black, Gary McGettigan, Aaron Reid, Evan Coleman.
In the Ulster Ladies Junior Championship Semi-Final Downings beat Derry opponents Eoghan Rua by one point in a cracking match, 2-06 to 1-08.
Denise Doherty was the Downings hero as her two goals proved the vital scores to clinch victory and a place in the Ulster Final.
