TERMON’S ABILITY TO hit the back of the net was the telling difference in this close and entertaining Minor Ladies B decider in Killygordon yesterday.
Termon 3-5 Ardara 1-7
By Frank Craig PRO
Emer Gallagher’s girls had to dig deep at various stages as Ardara threatened to cause an upset. With the tenacious Laura Furey in particular in superb form for the southern girls, they seemed to have the early measure of the Burn Road side, despite kicking against the elements.
[adrotate group=”38″]27 minutes in and it was Martin Shovlin and Terry McCole’s team that deservingly had their noses in front by one. Termon had opened the scoring through a Laura McElwaine free before Ardara bounced back with two Furey overs.
But with Termon hammering in the game’s opening goal on eight minutes through Andrea Murray, it was they that led by 1-1 to 0-2 in an exciting opening to proceedings. Ardara managed to tie matters up by the midpoint of the first act as Sarah Harkin and Rachel McNelis (free) converted.
Lara Sweeney gained sight of the net soon after but couldn’t keep her driven effort down and it flew over Annie McLaughlin’s crossbar.
[adrotate group=”53″]Up the other end, Termon also found sight of the onion bag but Eimear Alcorn could only hit the side netting. Before the break, Termon stole a real march when Meabh McDaid grabbed a point and Murray forced home her and her side’s second three-pointer of the contest.
That opened up a gap of three at the break. But with Ardara looking forward to kicking with the breeze in act two, this one was still all to play for.
Half-time: Termon 2-2:0-5 Ardara.
Termon got the second period off to a purposeful start when Eimear Trearty charged though and posted. Ardara replied though Sweeney on 33 minutes. Soon after, quick thinking by the latter saw the Ardara midfielder’s quickly taken free in over the top excellently palmed home by Furey as the contest was instantly tied up.
[adrotate group=”37″]With Termon under the cosh, it seemed like they might be on the verge of folding. But credit to them, they didn’t buckle and despite going down a girl when Bronagh Tinney was sin binned, Emer Gallagher’s charges superbly faced down the adversity they were suddenly presented with and actually finished this game the strongest.
Lauren McElwaine first moved the 14 girls of Termon ahead with a fine slice, 25 yards out and just right of centre. Heading into the final 10 minutes Ardara did manage to find parity one final time though their most potent asset, Furey.
Termon though would not be denied and a third goal, when Trearty’s effort from distance dropped in and over Ardara stopper Kelly, was a game change. Ardara heads dropped and with McElwaine adding to her tally, the deficit of four points proved too difficult to close and it was Termon that deservingly held on for the win.
[adrotate group=”76″]Ardara: Rosa Kelly; Holly Gallagher, Eimear Boyle, Laoise McGonigle; Niamh Gallagher, Roisin Maguire, Laoise Brennan; Lara Sweeney (0-2), Shannon McNelis; Laura Furey (1-3), Sarah Harkin (0-1), Molloy Gallagher; Niamh Gallagher, Natasha McCole, Rachel McNelis (0-1,1f). Subs: Chelsea Bennett for N Gallagher (15), Niamh Boyle for C Bennett (52).
Termon: Annie McLaughlin; Rionach Giles, Bronagh Tinney, Hannah McSharry; Emily O’Flynn, Meabh McDaid (0-1), Orla Blades, Shannon McLaughlin; Eleanor Trearty (1-1); Paula McCusker, Lauren McElwaine (0-3,1f), Laura Gallagher; Eimear Alcorn, Andrea Murray (2-0), Daria McGlynn. Subs: Molly Roarty for P McCusker (36).
Referee: John McGlanaghy (Four Masters).
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