TERMON U 12s became the first team from Donegal to win the John McAleavey Shield at the biggest underage football tournament in Ireland in Newry on Saturday.
In the qualifying stages they beat the mighty Clonoe from Tyrone, Cooley Kickhams from Louth and Sallins from Kildare before losing out to a very strong Lavey team in the final group game.
They went on to defeat Cavan Gaels in the quarter-final, Bailieborough Shamrocks in the semi-final before edging out Ballyhugh from Cavan after a titanic struggle in the final (after extra time). The second team played St Pauls from Laois, Robert Emmets and Dungloe from Donegal and again performed very strongly.
Both sets of players played magnificent football, and showed the determination and skill required to compete at the very highest level. The club were complimented on the performances of the team as a unit while Aaron Reid was nominated and shortlisted for the award of player of the tournament.
Among a team of stars, others to stand out were Martin Steele, Bobby McGettigan and Stephen Black.
On the second team Michael Trearty, Caolan Dolan and Lorcan Callaghan were exceptional, but team coach Paddy Gallagher was most proud of the way both teams performed as a unit and played for each other. The club can be very proud of this crop of young footballers who were successful against the very best young footballers in Ireland.
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