Termon's 'babies' become the bread-winners as senior crown is reclaimed

On their way to O’Donnell Park on Sunday for the Donegal LGFA Ladies Senior final, Aibhe McDaid and Jodie McFadden talked about the day Termon won the All-Ireland in Tuam.

That late November day in 2014, a then 21-year-old Geraldine McLaughlin scored 3-8 as Francie Friel’s side won an epic decider 3-12 to 1-13 against Cork’s Mourneabbey. “We were just there cheering them on,” McDaid said on Sunday evening. “Babies, cheering on the girls. We were eight or nine, maybe 10, something like that.”

“Even when we got to train with them years later, it was brilliant,” McFadden added. “Those girls have been through it all there, even Roisin the Yank (Friel) there, to come back from two years out injured and play a part is just brilliant.”

Now in their later teens, both played their part on Sunday in Letterkenny as Termon won back what is now known as the Donna Dunnion Boyle Memorial Cup following, what the official records will tell us, a 0-19 to 1-14 win over Glenfin. It ended in a free-kick competition, where Termon outscored their rivals 5-3, following a 0-14 to 1-11 draw after extra-time.

The marathon ended with Ciara McGarvey kicking the winner and for two teams that were so close for so long all afternoon, the emotions couldn’t have been more different from that moment on.

“We knew that Ciara wasn’t going to be phased by it,” McFadden, a county minor this year who scored one of the kicks herself, added. “It was the first time we ever came across anything like that. It’s a tough way to finish it after going through all that bother. It's a difficult way to go for Glenfin and it’s not easy with so many people there and some of the players are quite young. You just had to zone it out.”

Penalty shoot-outs have always been declared a rough way to lose again, although Sunday’s fare - where the element of the dual is eliminated - was perhaps even worse. Had it gone to spot-kicks, Termon would’ve had confidence in their goalkeeper Orla Corry.

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“Even if it went to penalties, Orla, for us, is a fantastic ‘keeper and we would’ve believed in her,” McFadden added. “It could’ve gone any way and lucky enough for us, it went our way. 

“It was tit-for-tat and it was nerve-racking. We just had to keep going and working off one another. We said all year that communication is key and always working for one another. They’re always there giving advice and even if you’re struggling they’ll be there for you.”

“Credit to all the girls,” McDaid added. “Ten volunteered. We were coming up the road there today, talking about that day that Termon won the All-Ireland and it’s hard to believe that here we are now, with the girls as teammates. It’s great playing with them.”