Termon 0--11

Malin 0--10

(After extra time)

By James Trearty

Kevin McGettigan was the toast of all of Termon when he gave a five star display to heave Termon over the line against Malin in a bruising contest at St Marys Park, Convoy, yesterday afternoon. This was a game that had everything - great play, disputed scores, good running and a whole hearted display by two teams determined to show what is good in Gaelic football.

Malin, who fielded without John McLaughlin were otherwise at full strength while Termon were forced to make three changes from the drawn game a week earlier.

Darren Gibson, Brendan Robinson, and Francis Friel all failed ate fitness tests which forced player manager Paddy McDaid to give starts to Christy Connaghan, James Doherty , and USA returned PJ McFadden.

Trevor Alcorn opened Termon's account before Michael Doherty equalized for Malin. Christy Connaghan had two further Termon points from frees before Garry Farren placed Anthony Kelly in for a second Malin point. Damien Ward left matters all square on twenty minutes before Anthony Kelly put Malin ahead.

Trevor Alcorn fired over what looked like a doubtful score and as the neutral umpire failed to adjudicate on its merits referee Robbie O'Donnell indicated that indeed it was a valid point.

Then Malin had a terrible miss Anthony Kelly who gathered a loose ball fired in a super shot at Michael Boyle. Boyle parried his effort and in a follow up Garry Farren sent over the bar when a goal looked on. Half time Termon 0--4 Malin 0--5

Whatever Paddy McDaid said to his charges at half time had an immediate effect as Christy Connaghan fired over for Termon just after the restart, but this was cancelled out by Anthony Kelly two minutes later. Then in an amazing period of dominance Termon had seven wides. This was not entirely due to poor Termon play but to great Malin defending .Kevin McColgan, Darren Doherty and Charles Byrne were outstanding in the face of this Termon onslaught.

This was a period that Termon mentors felt this game was slipping away and with the last throw of the dice former Termon great Mark Alcorn was introduced to the Termon team.

Alcorn who joined brothers Bernard and Trevor was soon in the thick of matters as P J McFadden equalized for Termon. Then followed a robust exchange between both sets of players after Termon's Ollie Doherty appeared to sustain a injury. After consultation the referee yellow carded a Malin player.

After the dust settled Barry Neilis collected a loose ball forty meters out and as Malin defenders anticipated a lay off Neilis placed the ball over Declan Lafferty's crossbar to put Termon one point clear with two minutes gone overtime.

Despite the large Termon support calling for full time referee O Donnell continued play and substitute Daniel McDaid had a simple task of squaring matters after excellent play by Anthony Kelly.

The full time whistle sounded with a total of 6 minutes and ten seconds of added time played. Full time Termon 0--7 Malin 0—7

At the start of the second half Sean O'Donnell fed Christy Connaghan on the edge of the Malin square. Connaghan shot was parried for a forty five which he sen wide. Termon who now were in the ascendancy had a further score when Trevor Alcorn was fouled forty meters out and Cristy Connaghan put Termon ahead . Ml Doherty leveled matters again before Anthony Kelly and Christ Connaghan exchanged points at the end of the first period of extra time. At the start of the second period Bernard Alcorn fed brother Trevor for a Termon point .

Christy Connaghan extended this lead before Anthony Kelly clawed one back for Malin and with that time had run out for Malin as referee o Donnell sounded the final whistle all Termon support felt that the Team got out of jail with this result.

Termon now advance onwards to a Division two final against Gweedore next Sunday and play in Division one next year. For Malin manager Louis Walsh this was a frustrating year with Malin making great strides to enter Division one and fail at the final hurdle.

For the Kelly brothers who are long serving Malin stalwarts this was heartbreak loosing by a point after extra time in a replay.

Best for Malin was Charles Byrne Ml Doherty and Paddy and Anthony Kelly.

Termon had great performers in James Mc Ilwaine Joe O Donnell Sean o Donnell Barry Neilis and PJ Mc Fadden but the overall man of the match award goes to evergreen Kevin Mc Gettigan who give a powerful display of controlled football in difficult conditions.

Malin: Declan Lafferty , Kevin Mc Colgan, Declan Walsh, Darren Doherty, Daniel Green, Charles Byrne, John McLaughlin, Paddy Kelly, Michael Doherty, Conor Farren, Damien Ward, Anthony Kelly, Garry Farren, Matthew Byrne, Patrick Mc Colgan. Sub Daniel Mc Daid.

Termon: Michael Boyle, Joe o Donnell, Jimmy Mc Ilwaine, Sean o Donnell, Jimmy Gallagher, Paddy mc Daid, Barry Neilis, Kevin Mc Gettigan, Ollie Doherty, Bernard Alcorn, P J Mc Fadden, Anthony Mc Grenra, James Doherty, Christy Connaghan, Trevor Alcorn, Subs used Mark Alcorn