Termon survive massive Aodh Ruadh scare

Termon 3-19

Aodh Ruadh 4-14 AET

By Piaras Ó Raghallaigh

Seven goals, a saved penalty, late drama and extra time at Burn Road produced a Donegal Under-21 Football Quarter-Final for the ages, as Termon edged past Aodh Ruadh after a pulsating encounter that kept the crowd enthralled from first whistle to last.

The opening half set a blistering tempo. With barely seconds gone, Termon centre-back Cormac Gallagher burst forward to thump a thunderous finish into the roof of the Aodh Ruadh net, after he latched onto a perfectly weighted Patrick Fegan pass. Aodh Ruadh responded with real composure.

Eoin Cassidy and the outstanding Jack Gallagher clipped superb points from play, only for Termon to strike again on nine minutes when wing-back Owen Browne reacted quickest to a rebound off the crossbar, volleying home their second goal.

Despite the bright start from the hosts, Aodh Ruadh showed steel and structure throughout. Midway through the half, Robbie Murphy weaved past two defenders and blasted home with his left after a slick, patient attacking move, nudging the visitors ahead at 1-4 to 2-0.

A captivating exchange of scores followed. Points from Shane McGloin and a magnificent long-range effort from Jack Gallagher restored the Aodh Ruadh advantage, before late efforts from Oisín Harkin and Evan Keown sent the sides in level at 2-4 to 1-7.

Termon flew out of the traps after the restart, producing a dominant third quarter. A barrage of scores from Shea Boyle, Cormac Gallagher (2), Gary McGettigan, Ciarán Cassidy and Oran Gallagher pushed them into a commanding 2-12 to 1-7 lead.

Aodh Ruadh, scoreless until the 23rd minute of the half, appeared out of answers. But the visitors mounted a remarkable late surge. Jack Gallagher ignited the comeback with a stunning long-range two-pointer before James Gallagher rattled the net, coolly finishing after gathering Cassidy’s high dropping ball. Suddenly, with seven minutes remaining, the gap was down to three.

Termon steadied themselves through Harkin and Boyle, nudging five clear, but another Gallagher free reduced the margin again as the clock turned red. Incredibly, Aodh Ruadh fashioned one last attack, with Darragh Dolan volleying home to leave just a single point between the teams.

From the resulting kick-out, Aodh Ruadh won possession and forced a 45’. Up stepped Jack Gallagher, who showed nerves of steel to nail a superb equaliser and send the quarter-final to extra time.

To their credit, Termon regrouped instantly. Scores from Harkin, Boyle, and two from lively substitute Caolán Curran kept them narrowly in front. Jack Gallagher struck again with a palmed goal for Aodh Ruadh in the first period of extra time to keep the outcome very much in the balance.

Two minutes later Ciaran Cassidy hit the score of the game when he burst the net from close range after a brilliant run through the Aodh Ruadh defence. Even a late missed penalty couldn’t derail the Burn Road men, who held firm in the closing moments to secure a dramatic and richly deserved victory at the end of an unforgettable contest.

Teams

Termon: Thomas Cannon, Cormac Cassidy, Emmett McGettigan, Jack O’Neill, Patrick Fegan, Cormac Gallagher (1-2), Owen Brown (1-0), Oisin Harkin (0-4), John James Sweeney (0-1), Gary McGettigan (0-1), Ciaran Cassidy (1-1), Cormac Brady, Evan McKeown (0-2), Oran Gallagher (0-2), Shea Boyle (0-4). Subs: Rory Connaghan for Owen Brown (45 mins), Rory McGrenra for Cormac Brdy (50 mins) Caolan Curran (0-2) for Oran Gallagher (54 mins), John Cannon for Evan Keown (75 mins)

Aodh Ruadh: Aaron Cullen, Shane Delahunty, Ryan Keenan, Garreth Brennan, James Gallagher (1-0), Eoin Kelly, Ted O’Donnell, Shane McGloin (0-1) Darragh Dolan (1-0) Damien Webler, Jack Gallagher (1-10, 2tp, 3f, 45), Garvey Mead, Robbie Murphy (1-1), Eoin Cassidy (0-2) Joseph Givens. Subs: Oran Gillespie for Damien Webler (50 mins) Fionn Duggan for Ted O’Donnell (60 mins).

Referee: Anthony Finn
(Naomh Colmcille).