Termon 0-11
St Michael’s 0-13
By Piaras Ó Raghallaigh
St Michael’s registered a big league victory over Termon on Sunday afternoon, running out two-point winners at the Burn Road.
Five exquisite points midway through the first half from Carlos O’Reilly, Edward O’Reilly and Daniel McLaughlin reeled in a rampant home side who had started brilliantly.
Termon burst out of the blocks with points from Shea Boyle, Dáire McDaid, Ryan McFadden and a great individual effort from the towering Bobby McGettigan but when the visitors settled, they played some delightful football.
Carlos O’Reilly was outstanding in this period and his mazy runs caused consternation every time St Michael’s poured forward. Despite starting without Colin McFadden, Micheal Cannon and Kyle McGarvey due to injury, the visitors were full value for the win.
O’Reilly levelled matters sixteen minutes into the first half with his ciotóg sweetly driving over a great point from out on the left.
Two further points from Edward O’Reilly and Daniel McLoughlin pushed St Michael’s four in front just before the break.
In fairness to Termon, they refused to lie down with John James Sweeney narrowing the gap again from the stand side. The final play resulted in another fine score for the visitors, with Daniel McLoughlin leaving two between the sides at the short whistle, with visitors with their noses in front 0-07 to 0-05.
Termon had that lead wiped out inside two minutes of the restart, with Daire McDaid kicking two great scores. Bobby McGettigan set up the first score from the throw in with the second coming from a close in free.
Six minutes in, Conor Cassidy was shown a black card for a late hit on Daniel McLoughlin and for the next ten minutes the game turned in favour of the visitors again.
A monster two-pointer from McLaughlin, a single from Andrew Kelly and another two-pointer from Michael McGinley had St Michael’s 0-13 to 0-09 in front and five minutes still to play.
Termon rallied late with Dáire McDaid twice landing points to narrow the gap, but the goal they needed never arrived despite going close on two occasions.
In the dying seconds, experience proved crucial for St Michael’s and their ability to hold onto the ball for long periods when under pressure got them over the line at the finish. It finished 0-13 to 0-11.
Teams
St Michael’s: Oisin Cannon, Paul Creamer, Steven Doak, Kit Regan, Max Roarty, Ciarán Kelly, Patrick Spiers, Michael McGinley (0-2, 1tp), Martin McElhinney, Ethan Ferry (0-1), Daneil McLaughlin (0-5, 1tp), Fionn Chernick, Andrew Kelly (0-2), Carlos O’Reilly (0-2), Edward O’Reilly (0-1). Subs: Johnny McFadden for Max Roarty (55 mins)
Termon: Emmet Maguire, Cormac Brady, Oisin Cassidy, Eoin Gallagher, Patrick Fegan (0-1), Conor Cassidy, Rory McCreana, Kevin McGettigan, Bobby McGettigan (0-1), John James Sweeney (0-1), Steve McDaid, Shea Boyle (0-2), Dáire McDaid (0-6), Ryan McFadden (0-1), Ciaran Cassidy. Subs: Ricky Gallagher for Steve McDaid (38 mins) Jack Alcorn for Ryan McFadden (50 mins) Anthony Grant for Ciaran Cassidy (55 mins).