Termon put themselves in line for play-off place with win over St Naul’s

Termon put themselves in the promotion hunt with a big win over St Naul’s in their final league game of the campaign at Gerard Gallagher Memorial Park on Friday evening.

With rumours that Na Rossa are not fielding against Buncrana on Saturday it means that the Inishowen side would be promoted along with Four Masters while Termon would be in the play-off  place.

The home side, without their county trio, were drastically understrength with up to 11 championship starters missing through injury and holidays.

Termon started without Dáire McDaid and Jamie Grant and this was a good contest for 20 minutes with the sides sharing six points. Niall Prendiville had a great battle with Termon full-forward Enda McCormick but in the final 10 minutes of the half the great physical strength of Termon came to the fore and they built up an 0-9 to 0-3 lead at the break.

It took both sides some time to get the scoreboard ticking with Cian McMenamin opening the scoring on 12 minutes. Darragh Griffin replied.

Anthony Grant and Declan Duignan, after a brilliant St Naul’s move, traded scores as did Ricky Gallagher and Thomas White (free).

But then Termon pulled away with five Enda McCormick frees and Kevin McGettigan from play. St Naul’s lost Cathal Lowther to a black card on the stroke of half-time.

Thomas White had the opening point of the second half for the home side but by the midway mark the visitors had  stretched their advantage to 2-13 to 0-4 with goals from Patrick Fegan and James McSharry while Fegan, Jack Alcorn, Enda McCormick and Ricky Gallagher added points.

A spirited and youthful St Naul’s responded with points from Joe Campbell and two from Barry Burke before Termon closed out the contest with further points from James McSharry, Anthony Grant and Cian McMenamin.

St Naul’s scorers: Thomas White 0-2,1f; Barry Burke 0-2; Joe Campbell, Darragh Griffin, Declan Duignan 0-1 each.

Termon scorers: Enda McCormick 0-6,5f; Patrick Fegan 1-1; James McSharry 1-1; Ricky Gallagher, Cian McMenamin, Anthony Grant 0-2 each; Jack Alcorn, Gary McGettigan 0-1 each.

St Naul’s: Cathal Charlton; David McGettigan, Niall Prendiville, Martin Breslin; John Relihan, Cathal Lowther, Joe Campbell; Michael Coughlan, Darragh Griffin; Barry Burke, Thomas White, Kian McCabe; Declan Duignan, Kevin Rose,  Shane  Conneely.

Subs: Daniel Coughlan and Peadar Shallow for Roseand McCabe (both 50).

Termon: Emmett McGuire; Caolan Gallagher, Ricky Gallagher,  Cormack Brady; Patrick Fegan, Kevin McGettigan, Conor Black; Bobby McGettigan, Ryan McFadden; Cian McMenamin, Steve McDaid, Evan Coleman; Anthony Grant, Enda McCormick, Jack Alcorn.

Subs: James McSharry for C Black (19); John James Sweeney for S McDaid (41); Gary McGettigan and Evan Keown for McCormick and Coleman (48).

Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters)