TERMON joint-captain Aibhe McDaid is hoping her side can make the most of their home advantage in the rescheduled Ulster Senior quarter-final with St Macartan’s this afternoon.
The provincial encounter was initially due to take place last Sunday but was called off a half-an-hour before throw-in as Storm Ashley made the conditions extremely difficult.
Former Tyrone GAA star and St Macartan’s manager Ryan ‘Ricey’ McMenamin was fuming after his side made the journey only for the game to be called off by the officials.
The ‘Macs’ will have to make the same journey on Sunday, and while the week’s events might stoke their fire, ATU Donegal student McDaid says the postponement was out of her side’s control.
“It wasn’t our fault really. The pitch was grand and we were ready to go.
“I think it was more that it should have been have called off earlier.
“I know it’s a torture for them having to travel again but there was nothing on our behalf that we could have done.
“Both teams had been out and had done a short wee warm-up but the conditions were shocking.
“If it had gone ahead, it wouldn’t have shown either team’s best qualities so I think both were happy enough in the end to do it again.
“I suppose our first question when we were asked if we would mind calling it off was if we would still have that home advantage because in the last two years we haven’t done so well in our away games in Ulster.
“Home advantage is a huge help in Ulster. It’s massive the difference it makes and hopefully it will drive us on this Sunday.”
Termon lost to the Tyrone champions last season when they were well beaten by Errigal Ciaran.
However, star forward Geraldine McLaughlin wasn’t available then and she’s back in the mix now.
“Everyone has been pushing on this season in the league and the championship.
“We have a good panel of girls there at the minute.
“Having Geraldine back is obviously a major help because she’s unbelievable.
“We haven’t really pushed on in Ulster in the last few years so we’re hoping that we can this season.
“We played St Macartan’s back in 2019 I think and we only won by a point with the last kick of the game. It’s not going to be an easy battle.”
McDaid is joint-captain along with Ciara McGarvey and is enjoying the role that comes with responsibility.
“It’s nice. There’s probably a wee bit of added pressure but that’s not coming from anybody else but myself really.
“I’m only 21 so it’s nice to have a go at leading the girls out.
“I was surprised. It started during the league and we didn’t know if it was going to run on for the full year but it’s a privilege and we’re both delighted.”
It’s been a good few weeks for the McDaid household as older brother Caolan led the Termon men’s side to the Intermediate title, while another sibling Daire was one of the star forwards in that side.
They have a big game against Tyrone side Derrylaughlan next week.
“We talk about football all the time in our house so it’s good. Maybe it’s me giving them tips now!
“We’re a happy household at the minute.
“It’s been an amazing few weeks for the club.
“The boys getting into Ulster is great too and they are putting in a big push.
“The flags are flying high at home and all around Termon. The whole community is really behind us.
“It would be a dream to keep the two teams going but we will see how it goes.”
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