McDaid content as Termon get back on track

Caolan McDaid got the response to last weekend’s surprise first-round defeat by Killybegs in Fintra with Sunday’s performance and win over Four Masters at the Burn Road.

After going down 1-12 to 0-8 against the Fishermen eight days earlier, Termon responded to that result with a 0-20 to 3-7 win over a fancied and youthful Four Masters outfit.

“We were looking for a bounce after last weekend’s defeat to Killybegs and thankfully we got it here today,” said the young Termon boss.

“Looking back on the Killybegs game we lacked that bit of aggression and bite that we had there today and that is the difference in the two performances.”

The Termon boss was also happy with the way his team responded to Four Masters’ second minute goal, tucked away by Kevin Muldoon as he sliced open the Termon defence.

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“We chatted all week in training about the various scenarios that could arise and the fact that they could go three or four up. Which they did.

“We even spoke about it in the team talk before the game.

“The reality is that when that situation arises like going behind and conceding an early goal you can either feel sorry for yourself or pick yourself up and go again. And thankfully, we did that.

“We won 72% of their kickouts in the first half and we were very pleased with that and we punished them with two pointers and went something like eight up.”

Leading by seven points with the clock ticking towards half-time, Four Masters struck for another sucker punch second goal.
“The second goal meant instead of going in seven up at half time, we were only four up.

As people know, Termon are noted for down the years making life hard for themselves. But again, it was pleasing that they showed a bit of character to respond in a positive fashion.

Four Masters came out all guns blazing. They had the wind, and they kicked a number of two pointers and all of a sudden, Termon were on the ropes.

And when Masters scored a third goal and a point in the opening six minutes of the second half, the Termon lead was back to a point.

“That forced us to bring our defensive line out past the 42 metre arc, which worked well, and again we regrouped well and worked really hard in the last quarter.

“And I’m just very pleased with the result, which is our first group game win in the senior championship here at the Burn Road in seven years.

“2018 was the last time we won a group game in the senior championship here and that was against Four Masters too.”