Two pointers in second half the vital scores says Four Masters manager John Kennedy

Four Masters came from a point down at half-time to run out five point winners in the U-21A semi-final against Glenswilly at the Burn Road, Termon.

The conditions were almost impossible for football, something that was acknowledged by winning manager, John Kennedy, who was guiding his team in defence of the title they won last year.

“It was one of them days that you don’t want anyone to be out playing football. It was tough on both teams. There goes a whole lot of effort into it and no more than ourselves, Glenswilly are looking to make inroads and progress and days like that set you back.

“It was tough on everybody,” said Kennedy.

The Donegal Town side were dominant for most of the opening half but the concession of two goals saw them a point down at the break, 2-1 to 0-6.

“The second goal did keep them ahead. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time for us. We were in a situation, let’s keep this as it is until half-time and see how it goes. It was the nature of the game, a ball in and it hopped. The ‘keeper got deceived and I’d say he didn’t recognise it could go that way; hopped into the back of the net.

“And then it was game on. We had it all to do.

“Now it sharpened the focus,” said Kennedy.

But there was no need to worry as the big players on the Four Masters side came up with the goods in the second half with Tomás Carr pointing the way with the first of three two pointers just two minutes into the new half.

“That was the difference. Getting two pointers on a day like that and us with the wind, we were going to take advantage of that if at all possible. It’s all very well saying, but on days like that it is not easy executing it.

“But it was one thing we talked about at half-time, let’s execute the basics well. And in fairness to the boys they did, under severe pressure,” said Kennedy, who said once you hadn’t the ball under control, you were in trouble right away.

The Four Masters boss agreed that his top players rose to the occasion when it was needed.

“Conor McCahill was very good; Seanán (Carr) was very good; Conor Reid in the middle of the field I thought did a manful job there because primary possession was key. Himself and Tomás (Carr) in the middle of the field did a good job.

“And then we had the subs coming in; Thomas Lenihan comes in and the next thing he sticks one in the net. That’s what you want off your subs; Paddy McGonigle came in and steadied the ship.

READ NEXT: Naomh Conaill advance to U-21 final against out of sorts Termon

“We are blessed with the generation of footballers and it makes my job very easy. But they love to play and they will play for one another and that’s what it’s all about.”

Four Masters are back in the final where they will meet Naomh Conaill but manager Kennedy was speaking just after his game with the second semi-final taking place an hour later in Glenswilly.

“Irrespective of who comes out on the other side, that is never going to be easy. We have said this all year, by being defending champions you have a target on your back and you have to try and raise your game for that.

“But look, so far so good, we will enjoy this afternoon and look how it goes then for the final,” said Kennedy.