Following an important win in Tir Connaill Park on the previous Sunday, Four Masters made the trip to Burns Road on Sunday. Without Thomas McGowan and with the return of Daire & Kevin McDaid to the Termon lineup following suspensions the trip appeared more difficult and so it turned out in a tempestuous 60 minutes.
Termon had the better of the early stages and a ball into the Masters square from Enda McCormick got a touch from Caolan McDaid which was enough to deceive the Masters keeper, Thomas McCann. This was followed up by a point from Daire McDaid and another from Enda McCormick with Termon well in control.
The game then swung in Masters favour with Patrick Reid and Kevin McBrearty getting a grip at midfield. Points from Conor McDaid, Oisin Reid and David Quinn brought them right back into the game. Wides from Daire McDaid (2) & McCormick followed by a converted free from Conor McDaid and another one from Quinn left the scores level.
Termon pulled away again with points from Christy Connaghan and Daire McDaid sandwiching a converted free by McCormick. Quinn, who was proving a handful for the Termon defence, brought it back to a one point game with a free and a point from play.
This was to be the last score of the first half but in the run in to half-time a high off-the-ball elbow resulted in a melee with a number of players involved. The referee let play run but came back to brandish a straight red card to Enda McCormick. This looked like it could be a turning point in the game with Termon down to 14 men for the second half but it was not to be.
As the rain came down Termon started the second half at a brisk pace but kicked three quick wides. Quinn brought Masters level with a free before Patrick Reid had to be replaced with what appeared to be a dead leg after a strong challenge from Sean O’Donnell. His influence in the middle of the field was missed as Termon won the next few kickouts and launched attacks. Two quick points from Daire and Kevin McDaid put them two up.
Daire McDaid then put Termon in charge on the scoreboard with a converted free from just outside the 45 and a point from play. An excellent team goal finished by substitute Daniel Conaghan put Termon seven points up and there appeared to be no way back for Four Masters. Quinn reduced the arrears with a free but a Daire McDaid free and an Aidan Sweeney point moved the lead out to eight.
More cards were issued including a black to Conor McDaid before John Boyle gave Masters a lifeline with a 35 metre free dropped into the square. McBrearty got up high which appeared the obstruct the goalkeeper’s view and the ball dropped into an empty net. Points from Daire McDaid and Nathan McElwaine pushed the lead out to seven again before a goalmouth scramble ended with Jamie Crawford poking the ball home from five metres but it was too little, too late for Four Masters as Termon deservedly returned to winning ways.
TERMON: Michael Boyle; Caolan Gallagher, Barry Gallagher, Sean O’Donnell – Shane Doherty, Steve McElwaine (0-1), Ryan McFadden – Aidan Sweeney (0-1), Kevin McDaid (0-1) – Daire McDaid (0-7, 3f), Christy Connaghan (0-1), Ricky Gallagher – Enda McCormick (0-2, 1f), Caolan McDaid (1-0), Nathan McElwaine. Subs: Daniel Conaghan (1-0) for Ryan McFadden (40), Steve McDaid, Anthony Grant.
FOUR MASTERS: Thomas McCann – Cathal Canavan, Kevin Breslin, Dylan Kennedy – Sean O’Kennedy, John Boyle (1-0, 1-0f), Aaron McCrea – Kevin McBrearty, Patrick Reid – Oisin Reid (0-1), Matthew McKenna, Emmett Doogan – Conor McDaid (0-2, 0-1f), David Quinn (0-6, 0-3f), Barry Dunnion. Subs: Jamie Crawford (1-0) for Emmett Doogan (41), Conor Rooney for Patrick Reid (44), Stephen Graham for Oisin Reid (55), Patrick Reid for Conor McDaid BC (59).
Termon Reserves 2-11 Four Masters Reserves 1-9
Four Masters: Eamonn Jordan – Aiden McHugh, Danny McGarrigle, Conor Breslin – Brian P. Gallagher, Darren Walsh, Eoughan Corley – Stephen Graham, Ray Balogun – Eoghan Gorrell, Pauric Harvey, Joe Sheerin – Killian Faulkner, Eoin Slevin, Matthew Wilson. Subs used: Colm McDonnell, James McHugh, Cahir McBrearty, David Keaney, Daniel Martin.
