Termon open Division 2 campaign in style against Gaeil Fhánada

A power-packed second half saw youthful Termon sweep to a most impressive victory over an outgunned Gaeil Fhanada in miserable conditions at the Burn Road.

Termon 5-11 Gaeil Fhanada 1-10

The elegant Daire McDaid hit the net twice, one in each half, Ryan McFadden hit a wonder goal and subs Mark Gallagher and Eoin Doherty goaled to complete the rout.

The goal from McFadden in the 34th minute was one for the ages and was the turning point in the game. The sides were locked at 1-6 apiece when Mark McConigley took a kick out from the 21 yard line which went straight to McFadden about 40 metres and the tall corner forward placed the ball to perfection as it sailed over the retreating keeper into the net.

McFadden’s fabulous strike put Termon into a 2-6 to 0-6 and they hit three more goals to emerge convincing winners.

For Fanad the dancing feet and pin point accuracy of Mark McAteer and a well finished goal kept his side in touch before McFadden’s magic. Daire McDaid made a wonderful pick up and arrowed a superb point after two minutes as the home side played into the wind in the opening half.

McAteeer replied in kind as Fanad keeper Mark McCongle denied Termon’s raiding wing-back Ricky Gallagher a goal with a great save as McAteer put the visitors in front with a pointed free.

McDaid and Oisin Shields swapped points before Termon struck for the first goal when an Anthon Grant effort dropped short and McDaid flicked the ball to the net. Shields and Oisin McFadden made it 1-2 to 0-5 and then Termon full back Jamie Grant hit the point of the half when he cut through the Fanad defence and hit a soaring point.

But Fanad responded swiftly when McAteer found Shields with a sumptuous pass and the big midfielder buried the ball in the back of the net to tie matters. Jack Alcorn replied with a point to leave Termon leading by 1-6 to 1-5 at the break.

Ironically Fanad had the better of the early exchanges and levelled matters. But they could only hit four more points as Termon bagged 4-5 in a most impressive second half. But all changed utterly after McFadden’s magical goal as the home side showed all their power and panache.

It was all Termon in the final 20 minutes and Stephen McElwaine and the towering Bobby McGettigan slung over fine points. McFadden and McGettigaan then combined brilliantly to leave a simple tap-in for McDaid to leave Termon leading by 3-9 to 1-7.

And the winners hit two more goals from subs Mark Gallagrh and Eoin Doherty as the game drew to a close. McAteer and Eoin McGonigle were on target for Fanad but it was a token response.

A thoroughly deserved victory for a youthful, fit and vibrant Termon who could make a real challenge for promotion this year.

Termon scorers: Daire McDaid 2-3,1f; Ryan McFadden 1-0; Mark Gallagher 1-0, Eoin Doherty 1-0; Jack Alcorn 0-3; Jamie Grant 0-2; Stephen McElwaine, Kevin McGettigan, Bobby McGettigan 0-1.

Gaeil Fhanada scorers: Mark McAteer 0-6,4f; Oisin Shields 1-2; Eoin McGonigle 0-2f.

Termon: Darragh Russell; Conor Cassidy, Jamie Grant, Caolan Gallagher; Ricky Gallagher, Kevin McGettigan, Conor Gallagher; Luke McGarvey, Jack Alcorn; Aaron Reid, Anthony Grant; Daire McDaid, Stephen McElwaine, Ryan McFadden. Subs; James McSharry for Kevin McGettigan (42), Mark Gallagher for Daire McDaid (49), Eoin Doherty for Stephen McElwaine (56).

Gaeil Fhanada: Mark McCongley; Sean Kerr, Paddy Heraghty, Jimmy Coyle; Odhran Shields, Oisin McFadden, Calum McAteer; Oisin Shields, Sean Carr; Conor Heraghty, Darren McElwaine, Alan McAteer; Mark McAteer, Brandon McClafferty, Eoin McGonigle. Subs; Michael Sweeney and Eoin Mogue for Sean Carr and Conor Heraghty (41), Liam Sweeeny for Oisin Shields (56),Pauric Clinton for Darren McElwaine (59).

Referee: Greg McGrory (Four Masters).