St Eunan’s 0-15
Termon 0-11
By Cormac Crossan
St Eunan’s booked their place in the All-County League Division 4 League Final after withstanding a spirited second-half comeback from Termon at O’Donnell Park on Saturday evening.
The hosts looked to be in complete control during the opening half as they built a three-point interval lead, but they were forced to dig deep after the break as Termon dominated possession and drew level before St Eunan’s youngsters produced the decisive scores to secure a deserved victory.
Termon opened the scoring after just two minutes when their wing-back, Rian Nibbs, burst forward to split the posts.
St Eunan’s responded almost immediately as Odhran Ryan used his blistering pace to skip past his marker before being hauled down. Although the attack was initially allowed to continue, play was brought back and Eoghan Doherty calmly converted the resulting two-point free.
The visitors edged back in front through neat combination play between Owen Browne and Ronan Harkin, with Harkin finishing well, but St Eunan’s quickly found their rhythm.
Youngster Jack Robinson showed great confidence to drive through the centre before pointing, while Doherty added another free to edge the hosts in front.
Donnacha Devaney then opened his account from a close-range free before the impressive Mark Gallagher got Termon’s second score of the evening to keep his side in touch. Aaron Gallagher won a superb breaking ball around midfield and fed Gallagher again, but after a coming together between players the referee opted for a hop-ball rather than awarding the expected free.
St Eunan’s continued to look dangerous every time they attacked. Doherty curled over another fine score before Eoghan Farren was denied by a super save from Ryan Devine after racing through on goal. Odhran Ryan then displayed excellent vision to pick out Devaney, who finished confidently, before Farren punished a poor kick-out by driving directly at the Termon defence and splitting the posts with a fisted effort.
Senan Martin produced a vital block at the opposite end to deny Adam McElwaine while Gallagher replied from a free for the visitors. Doherty had the final St Eunan’s score of the half after another Termon infringement before Gallagher rounded off the first-half scoring, leaving the hosts 0-9 to 0-6 ahead at the interval.
Although St Eunan’s had controlled the opening period, it was Termon who dominated much of the second half. An early goal opportunity was brilliantly snuffed out by another crucial intervention from Senan Martin before Browne released Gallagher for another point. Substitute Seán McFadden also found the target as the visitors closed the gap to the minimum.
It took St Eunan’s 14 minutes to register their first score of the second half, but it arrived at the perfect time. Odhran Ryan once again showcased his pace by cutting inside his marker and confidently raising a white flag. Termon refused to go away, however, as Adam McElwaine pointed before Gallagher levelled the contest with another excellent strike.
Nibbs had an opportunity to give his side the lead moments later, only to see his effort clip the top of the upright and fall wide.
That proved to be a pivotal moment. Jack Robinson stepped forward when his side needed him, and after Termon backed off, the youngster punished them with a superb two-pointer that swung the momentum firmly back in St Eunan’s favour.
Brandon Jordan’s excellent fielding then set up Farren for another crucial score before Ryan produced one of the runs of the afternoon, weaving through the Termon defence before slipping a delicate pass towards Seán Harvey, whose chance just escaped him.
Doherty stretched the lead further after Ryan Devine was harshly penalised for taking too long over a kick-out. McFadden responded with a difficult free deep into added time, but St Eunan’s had the final word when the two minor teammates Ohdran Ryan and Harry Shields combined, allowing Shields to dummy his marker before confidently slotting over the insurance point.
The final whistle confirmed a 0-15 to 0-11 victory for St Eunan’s, who weathered Termon’s second-half surge and ultimately showed greater composure in the closing stages to secure their place in the Division 4 League Final.
Teams
St Eunan’s: Niall Forde; Evan McCroary, Senan Martin, Daniel McClafferty; Darragh Morrison, Harry Blake, Jack Robinson (0-3, 1tp); Brandon Jordan, Daithi Kavanagh; Eoghan Farren (0-2), Eoghan Doherty (0-6, 3fs), Odhran Ryan (0-2); Sean Harvey, Donnacha Devenney (0-02, 1f), John MacIntyre. Subs: Harry Shields (0-1) and Ryan Bradley for Kavanagh and Morrison (Half-time), Caolan McGarrigle for McCroary (40 mins), Seán Harvey for Devenney (45 mins), Daniel Campbell for McIntyre (62 mins).
Termon: Ryan Devine; James Lee McLaughlin, Shaun McDaid, James Crumlish; Kieran Black, Martin Steele, Rian Nibbs (0-1); Jamie Gallagher, Aaron Gallagher; Ronan Harkin (0-1), Shane Doherty, Owen Browne; Mark Gallagher (0-4, 1f), Adam McElwaine (0-2), Ryan McMenamin. Subs: Sean McFadden (0-2, 1f) and Oran Gallagher (0-1) for McMenamin and Harkin (Half-time), Paddy McDaid for A.Gallagher (42 mins), Barry Nelis for McLaughlin (59 mins).
Referee: Clint Marron (Urris)