Termon crowned Intermediate champions after impressive win over Naomh Columba

Termon were crowned Donegal Intermediate champions with six points to spare over Naomh Columba in the final in O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny.

The six point margin at the end did not flatter the winners, who were dominant after hitting six points without reply in the opening quarter to go five clear and they maintained that margin throughout the second half.

Naomh Columba started with Aaron Doherty in a withdrawn role, trying to hold the rampant Termon side, but it was difficult to keep them at arm’s length. The Glen men finished with 14 wides but in fairness many of them were not from scoring positions. Even Aaron Doherty had a few off target.

But it was Termon’s day. Jamie Grant was awarded the man of the match, but Jack Alcorn, James McSharry, Enda McCormick and Ryan McFadden all played their part as well. The Termon dominance was reflected with nine different scorers.

Naomh Columba got a great start with Aaron Doherty firing over from distance on three minutes, but thereafter it was mostly Termon.

Jack Alcorn had them back on terms inside a minute and the points flowed from another Alcorn score, Enda McCormick (mark), Kevin McGettigan, Ryan McFadden (mark) and Jack Alcorn with his third.

It was a dominant first quarter for the men in maroon and there were 25 minutes on the clock when Aaron Doherty converted their second point, a harsh free against Termon for overcarrying.

Naomh Columba did have chances but they were all from distance and between poor shooting and passes going wide, they racked up seven first half wides.

Termon hit three in-a-row in as many minutes by the 29th minute from Enda McCormick (free), Dáire McDaid and James McSharry, who first timed for goal but Shane O’Gara did well to tip over.

Naomh Columba did finish the half well with Eric Carr driving forward to hit a good score and Aaron Doherty closed out the scoring with a free.

Half-time: Naomh Columba 0-4, Termon 0-9

James McSharry had the Termon side of the scoreboard ticking within a minute and Patrick Fegan almost had a goal as his effort was tipped over after a Jamie Grant effort for a point was punched clear.

Naomh Columba full-back Pauric Carr went forward to hit a good score and Aaron Doherty converted a free to reduce the leeway to five once more.

Enda McCormick converted a ‘45’ as the wides tally for Naomh Columba reached 12. Cian McMenamin, just on the field, pushed the  lead to seven. Declan McGuire and Eric Carr had late Naomh Columba points either side of a Jamie Grant effort but the result was never in doubt.

Termon scorers: Jack Alcorn, Enda McCormack (f,m,’45’) 0-3 each; James McSharry 0-2; Jamie Grant, Patrick Fegan, Ryan McFadden (m), Kevin McGettigan, Dáire McDaid, Cian McMenamin 0-1 each.

Naomh Columba scorers: Aaron Doherty 0-4,3f; Eric Carr 0-2; Pauric Ward, Declan McGuire 0-1 each,

Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara; Barry Carr, Pauric Ward, Paul O’Hare; Stephen Callaghan, Eric Carr, Pauric Hegarty; Paddy Byrne, Declan McGuire; Darragh Cunningham, Aaron Doherty, Ryan McNern; Shane Callaghan, Christopher Byrne, Ronan O’Hare.

Subs: Ryan McNern and Lanty Molloy for D Cunningham and R O’Hare (both 37); Michael Callaghan for R McNern (42); 

Termon: Emmet Maguire; Cormac Callaghan, Ricky Gallagher, Cormac Brady; Patrick Fegan, Conor Cassidy, Jamie Grant; Bobby McGettigan, Ryan McFadden; John James Sweeney, Kevin McGettigan, James McSharry; Dáire McDaid, Enda McCormick, Jack Alcorn.

Subs: Conor Black and Ciaran Cassidy for Fegan and Sweeney (both 42); Cian McMenamin for McSharry (52); Anthony Grant for J Alcorn (57); Aaron Reid for McCormick (60).

Referee: Anthony McCallig (Naomh Ultan)