Termon’s Ryan McFadden says ‘pure desire’ got them over the line in U-21A semi

Ryan McFadden’s vital late interceptions were the difference between Termon heading for the final of the U-21A Championship final or heading home with hard luck stories.

The midfielder made a catch underneath his own crossbar in the 65th minute from an effort by St Eunan’s Daragh Ellison that would’ve won the semi-final for the Letterkenny side. As it was, it was Termon who won out on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-6.

It was in fact the second claim on the line by McFadden, who just two minutes earlier was in the right place at the right time as a dropping ball from Noel O’Donnell was missed by all who challenged for it on the edge of the square.

Termon leave it all on the line to edge out St Eunan's in U-21A semi-final

Termon managed to seal a place in the final of the U-21A Championship with a narrow win over St Eunan's in a contest that went down to the wire in Glenswilly

“The first one was just a normal enough old catch and for the second, Evan Coleman had made an unbelievable block and it came back to Daragh, who hit it,” McFadden said afterwards. 

“I was just lucky to be standing there and managed to get hands on it and, I’m not sure who, one of their players came and actually knocked me out the way, away from the net. If it had’ve been the other way the ball probably would’ve gone in, over the line. 

“Pure desire got us over the line there. It was hard going and the pitches are heavy this time of the year. It’s probably not ideal now being at the far side of Christmas and with lads going back to college, but everyone who was left was in the same boat so we’re not going to complain. Preparations are going to have to be put in by all the teams.”

McFadden said Termon expected nothing less from St Eunan’s, who they’ve battled with down the years.

“Every game we have ever played against St Eunan’s has been nip and tuck and it’s never more than a two or a three-point game,” he said. “Luckily enough we managed to come out on top there today. It was a dogfight there at the end. We managed to keep them out and that’s what won it for us. They were knocking at the door all day but the defence held firm and managed to keep the goals out.” 

At the break, the sides were level at 1-1 to 0-4, with Bobby McGettigan having scored the only goal, although had plenty of chances to force their way in at the break with a lead.

“There was a stiff breeze, which was pretty swirling, and it was hard to get the ball over the crossbar,” McFadden added. “We were taking shots that probably weren’t on - myself included - and that can happen some days. The goal in the first half was vital.”