Caolan McDaid seeing real progression with IFC finalists Termon

Caolan McDaid says an IFC final spot for Termon is already a reflection of the work his group of players have put in this term. 

The Burn Road club eventually dropped the hammer in O’Donnell Park at the weekend in a spectacular last quarter as they blew Naomh Muire away 2-15 to 1-8. 

At the final whistle, it was difficult to fathom just how the sides had been locked level just 12 minutes prior before Termon lamped 1-7 on the bounce to eventually cross the line at a canter.

Back at the beginning, Danny O’Donnell’s side had jumped three clear inside the opening quarter as Termon racked up five wides in the same time frame. 

But the gear they were able to find down the stretch was so, so impressive. 

“It’s something we’ve prided ourselves in all year - our legs and our fitness,” explained McDaid after. “We’ve talked about it all season, the fourth quarter is where we really upped it. 

“For me, our subs had a huge impact on the game today once more as well and that was pleasing. It’s just great to see everyone buying into it. We’ve tried to create a ‘team first’ mantra and it’s working well so far”. 

In regards to taking a full 17-plus minutes to get off the mark, McDaid explained: “I was concerned. That first quarter, Naomh Muire took a big scalp last week and came in on a bit of a high. 

“They went three points up early on. We accumulated a good few wides before we eventually got off the mark. 

“But we just needed to get that first point and sort of reset the thing. That first score kicked us back into gear”. 

Daniel Devlin swatted home a goal moving into the last quarter of an hour with Eoin Martin immediately following that up to tie the game at 1-8 each. 

But with Harry Harden sin-binned right after, Termon cut loose. 

“All games take on lives of their own,” said McDaid on that prolific flurry late on. “We conceded that goal but it was all about the response. 

“Our character there was amazing. We tagged on 1-7 at the end and that was so pleasing.”

Termon now move on to the final and at the time of speaking, McDaid was looking forward to taking in the competition’s other last-four clash between Malin and Naomh Columba. 

Regardless, he says Termon have made definite strides this term as they now zone in on that showpiece decider. 

“It is progress, I suppose. We’d made the last two semi-finals so we’ve got to a final now and that’s huge in itself. It’s such a difficult and competitive championship. 

“We’ve in the final now and we have to go to win it. It’s nice to be in that position now - getting a look at the other game I mean. 

“It sets our stall up now for Sunday. In regards to who we play in the final, it’s much of a muchness. They are two fantastic sides. So we’ll have a good look at that now on Sunday.”