Termon . . 4-7
Glenfin . . 1-11
By Diarmaid Doherty
The margin of victory may only have been five points at the of this contest, but Termon always looked to be in control as they chalked up their first win of the senior championship at the Burn Road on Sunday evening.
Two goals in each half helped Termon on their way but typical Glenfin, they made life difficult for their opponents and at one stage in the second half, had got back to within two points of their opponents.
There were ten minutes gone after half-time when Odhran O’Connor fired to the net after a brilliant set up from substitute Daniel Marley.
That left the score at 2-5 to 1-6 in favour of Termon and suddenly Glenfin’s tails were up.
But Termon’s response was almost instant. Shea Boyle, on as a half-time substitute, scrambled the ball to the net before the hard-working Cormac Gallagher stole possession from his man and ran through to finish superbly past Andrew Walsh. Suddenly it was 4-5 to 1-6 and Termon were on their way to victory.
For Caolan McDaid’s side, coming a week after their opening weekend loss to Glenswilly, a win in this game was all that mattered.
In difficult conditions on a miserable evening, they were a bit slow out of the blocks but scored goals on ten minutes and 13 minutes to open their account.
Pat Fagan raised the first green flag when he palmed home a Daire McDaid ball which dropped short. Then Jack Alcorn finished off a patient Termon attack for the second goal.
Two well struck ‘45s from Shaun Ward helped Glenfin stay in touch, although by half-time they trailed by five, 2-3 to 0-4.
Ward would go on to hit eight points in a fine display of scoretaking, and you can see why his recent return from the US is such a boost to Frank McGlynn’s side.
Termon however, always carried the greater threat in this contest and in Ryan McFadden, they too had a player who made light of the conditions with some excellent scores. Jack Alcorn led the line with a fine performance, ably helped by Ciaran Cassidy and Ruairí Conaghan.
The goals from Shea Boyle and Cormac Gallagher were followed by a McFadden free and a Ciaran Cassidy point. With ten minutes to go, their lead was out to ten points, 4-7 to 1-6.
They didn’t manage a score in the final period of the game as Glenfin kicked five unanswered points to reduce the arrears.
Glenfin will have Kilcar at home next weekend – another tricky assignment.
Their defence played well in this game, and the amount of turn-overs won, and blocks made was really impressive.
But they still conceded four goals over the hour, and ultimately that’s what decided this game.
They will need to keep that in mind when Kilcar come to Pairc Taobhoige.
For Termon, next up is an away game at champions Naomh Conaill – a repeat of last year’s epic quarter-final.
Teams
Termon: Emmett Maguire; Conor Cassidy, Cormac Gallagher (1-0), Eoin Gallagher; Pat Fegan (1-0), Cian McMenamin, Rory McGrenra; Kevin McGettigan, Bobby McGettigan; John James Sweeney (0-1), Ruairí Connaghan, Ryan McFadden (0-4, 1tp, 1f); Daire McDaid, Jack Alcorn (1-0), Ciaran Cassidy (0-2). Subs: Shea Boyle (1-0) for McDaid (HT), Enda McCormick for Sweeney (45 mins), Oisin Harkin for Fegan (51 mins).
Glenfin: Andrew Walsh; Martin O’Donnell, John Harkin, Jack Marley; Ross Marley, Jack Long, Oisin McGlynn; Stephen Ward, Jason Morrow; Odhran McGlynn, Karl McGlynn (0-1), Seaghan McCormick; Odhran O’Connor (1-1), Shaun Ward (0-8, 3 ‘45s, 1tpf, 2f), Daniel McGlynn. Subs: Luke McGlynn (0-1) for D McGlynn, Daniel Marley for Odhran McGlynn (both half-time), Frank McGlynn for Oisin McGlynn (55 mins).
Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters).