Roisin Friel ready to do her bit for Termon after injury hell

It has been a long road back for Roisin Friel, but the experience Termon player is ready to contribute what she can again.

Friel returned to action this summer after an injury-ridden couple of years, stretching back to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in 2019 while playing for Donegal.

The initial injury came in an Ulster Championship game against Cavan. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic slowed her recovery time and a familiar pain ravaged through her body last summer.

In a League meeting with St Eunan’s, Friel went to ground.

“I ruptured the other one and did far bigger damage,” Friel told Donegal Live.

There's a busy day in store for Naomh Columba's Colin McNelis

Colin McNelis will be on the line for both the Naomh Columba reserves and seniors at O'Donnell Park as they take part in both Intermediate finals against St Mary's Convoy and Dungloe respectively

“It took a bit longer with the type of damage I did. I had surgery both times in Santry and they were brilliant. I did a lot of the recovery at the Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre with Paul (Fisher) and Shane (McClean).

“Mentally, it was a big relief to get back. I felt really good coming back onto the pitch, but I was probably more nervous than ever.

“The first injury was hard. I was isolated in terms of the recovery, which you’d normally do in a routine environment. Covid disrupted the whole thing and I found that very hard the first time. Even in terms of getting a physio, it was tough.”

The Termon ladies are back on a familiar stage on Sunday with an equally-familiar foe opposing them. Glenfin are aiming for a third successive Donegal senior ladies championship title when the two rivals go to battle at O’Donnell Park (throw-in 2.30pm).

For the fourth time in a row - and the seventh occasion since 2010 - Termon go up against Glenfin in the decider.

Last year, Glenfin won after an epic joust that went to extra time in Lifford.

Friel said: “When you look at the two teams, there’s good youth coming. Jamie-Lee McMahon and Katie Long took us apart in the Gaeltacht final and we know Glenfin are a different animal with Katy (Herron), Karen (Guthrie) and Yvonne (Bonner).

“It will be a battle again. We are well aware of Glenfin, they’re flying high and are maybe further down the road in terms of development under a new manager. Paul (Bonner) has done a great job with them, but we have to focus on ourselves and we know what Andy (Connor, Termon manager) will be asking us to do.”

Friel has been coaching in Termon’s underage system in recent years and is now a team-mate of some of those she helped developed. The likes of Aibhe McDaid, Ciara McGarvey, Jenny McGettigan and Jodie McFadden have come through the system.

“They’re a great bunch of girls and we always knew they had the potential to play adult football,” Friel said. “There is massive work in the club from the likes of Adrian McGettigan and Brian Trearty to the ladies football. This year we had some success with the under-14s and minors and that allows create a pathway to senior.

“We have two adult teams this year and the second team are in the Shield final too. It’s fantastic to see that; it’s definitely a sign that the club is doing the right things.

“It’s maybe a sign of a changing of the guard in a way, but the teams are continuing at a high level.”

Termon were hit by injuries to Jamie-Leigh Murray and Maria Carr this year, but the Burn Road side hope to have the teak-tough Carr back in their rearguard at the weekend.

Friel, too, hopes to see some involvement in the final.

She said: “I have a different role now, coming in to relieve the pressure on some others. It’s very different. I’ve to try not think about the injury, but it probably won’t ever be fully right now. I’m aware of it, but I’ll do what I can in terms of what Andy and the team need. Whatever job I have to do, I’ll do it.”