St. Paul’s-fonaCAB Tournament semi-final
Termon (Donegal) v Kilcoo (Down)
St. Paul’s 1-00 Boxing Day
Donegal champions, Termon and Down champions Kilcoo meet in the second semi-final of the St. Paul’s-fonaCAB tournament on Boxing day and this looks a harder one to call than Sunday’s meeting of Erin’s Own, Lavey and Enniskillen Gaels.
As we predicted in our preview, the Derry champions had too much pace, power and skill for an Enniskillen side who battled right to the end but were never able to breech a Lavey defence for the goal that might have given them a chance.
The men from Gulladuff eased to an 0-11 to 0-5 victory over the Gaels but their management will surely reflect on the number of wides they kicked over the hour which stretched well into double figures and it’s something they will be looking to address in an otherwise flawless performance.
On Boxing Day Termon and Kilcoo meet at the same venue and I would expect this one to be much closer with both sides impressive in the run up to Thursday’s clash on Shaw’s Road.
It was Kilcoo who set the ball rolling back on the 7th December when they defeated Killyclogher of Tyrone at Shaw’s Road. The Down champions took the first step in matching the achievement of their senior side when they proved too good for a battling Killyclogher in the opening game of the St. Paul’s minor tournament.
In a game that took some time to come to life, first half goals from Jimmy Magee and two from man of the match, Justin Clarke put the Magpies in a commanding position at the break but Killyclogher grabbed a lifeline in the final moments of the half with Oran Toal intercepting a stray pass and playing in Potter who fired to the net.
Justin Clarke was outstanding for the Mourne side throughout as his side controlled the opening half and had a lot of the hard work done by the half way stage. The Tyrone side will rue the concession of those first half goals however with the second and third the result of poor defending and when Gavin Potter was sent off two minutes after the restart it was always going to be a big ask for the Tyrone side.
Kilcoo ran out 3-6 to 1-4 winners over a spirited Killyclogher side and will have the advantage of already having played at Shaw’s Road while their opponents on Boxing Day, Termon have played both of their games to date at Colaiste Feirste.
Termon were involved in a preliminary round game against Silverbridge Harps of Armagh at Colaiste Feirste on the same day of the Kilcoo v Killyclogher clash. The Tir Connaill champions had it mostly their own way throughout though they did survive a mighty goalmouth scramble.
The Donegal side led 0-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes and a goal from the penalty spot from Ryan McFadden saw them push on to a commanding 1-7 to 0-4 lead at the halfway stage and they were good value for that lead.
Despite having a second penalty attempt saved, Termon and McFadden pushed on to win comfortably enough to set up a quarter-final meeting with Emmyvale of Monaghan at the same venue on Sunday 15th December.
Emmyvale came into this game at something of a disadvantage having played their football in Monaghan at U17 level but they did complete a league and championship double in the Farney County.
The Donegal champions dominated from first whistle and had matters pretty much in the bag by the half way stage when they had established a healthy 1-6 to 0-1 lead.
It took Emyvale thirty minutes to get a score and by that time they were six points down.
Ryan McFadden then scored a fortuitous goal and Termon led by 1-6 to 0-1 at half-time.
McFadden would grab a second goal after the restart and Bobby McGettigan, Stephen Black, Conor McFadden, and Jack Alcorn also hit the net in an impressive victory for the Donegal champions.
Termon have certainly impressed to date. They are a big, strong and mobile side who move the ball about well and as they showed in that rather facile victory over Emmyvale, know where the posts are.
They are strong and disciplined in defence when they don’t have possession and will have benefited from having played two games to date but both of these were on Colaiste Feirste’s artificial surface.
Jamie Grant and Marty Steele spearhead a solid looking defence where wing half; Stephen Black carries a scoring threat. Jack Alcorn and Ryan McFadden are both excellent players at mid-field who both made substantial scoring contributions in the win over Emmyvale.
Alcorn hit 1-5 while McFadden added 2-3 while Bobby McGettigan, Steve McDaid and Evan Coleman form a potent half forward line and Adam McElwane and Mark Gallagher look strong in the last line of attack.
Justin Clarke was Kilcoo’s top performer against Killyclogher on the opening day win, hitting 1-5 (1-3 frees) while Shealan Johnston, Jamie McKee and Sean McCusker all carry a serious threat in a mobile attack.
The Down champions were tight in defence where Fettes, Clarke and Morgan gave nothing away and they will travel to Belfast on Thursday confident of progressing a step closer to an Ulster double, their senior side having already claimed an Ulster title this year.
The Down men will have to be at their very best however if they are to overcome the considerable hurdle of the Donegal champions and on what I’ve seen to date I would give Termon a tentative nod to progress to the New Year’s Day final against Lavey.