"I thought there was more in us" - Termon manager Caolan McDaid

"It was disappointing to come in level at half time but it is a new experience for a lot of that group, they are very, very young," was the reaction of Termon manager, Caolan McDaid, in the immediate aftermath of the side's defeat in the Ulster Intermediate preliminary round in Healy Park, Omagh.

Derrylaughan from Tyrone, led superbly by full-forward Tomas Carney, were worthy winners despite the Donegal side getting off to the best possible start with 1-4 to no score after 10 minutes.

Carney eased his side back in contention with Termon unable to add any further scores in the first half, the sides were level at the break.

"Hopefully, the experience of playing in Ulster will bring them on," said McDaid,  who said that while there might have been a bit of inexperience at times in the opening half, he was not going to be critical of any of the players.

"We spoke about the scoring timeline at half-time and there were a couple of nervy moments. Maybe a wee bit of panic set in. I can't really be giving out about them this evening. Look, John James Sweeney, it's his first year, he's only 18 years of age and I hope he goes on to have a great playing career; Cormac Gallagher is still under 20. They are a great group of men but it just wasn't to be on the night."

McDaid agreed that the Derrylaughan team probably had a wee bit more experience in their side.

"I was looking through their team sheet on the night they won the Tyrone Intermediate title and they had a good few years on ourselves. We tried to flip that and use it to our advantage and run them and stuff. It worked in spells but their experience probably got them over the line with the likes of Danny Ball; Tomas Carney inside is a really good player and then you had (Brian) Kennedy ruling things from midfield."

For Termon it has been a good year, getting promotion from Division 2 and winning the Intermediate championship. 

"Yeah it has been a positive year. Not many teams reach their goals every year and only one team can win the intermediate. championship. Look, we are very grateful and thankful from that point of view but honestly sitting here tonight I just thought there was more in us," said McDaid.

"When you get the opportunity in Ulster you want to take it. It doesn't come around too often. I spoke to them afterwards. We had 30 to 40 in numbers coming out (to training). We had the Reserves doing well in the championship.

"It is about sticking together now and really doing the hard work now," said McDaid.