An Alan Russell point in the third minute of injury time saw Bundoran pip Termon in the opening fixture Group D of the Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Donegal SFC.
Termon 0-11 Bundoran 0-12
Following a match of fine margins, the Seasiders have taken a huge step towards a last eight berth for the second year in succession by virtue of their narrow success – and they can also tip their caps to goalkeeper Conor Carty, who made a one-on-one save to deny substitute Anthony Grant a goal that would’ve put Termon two in front in injury time.
Although Enda McCormick levelled the scores at 0-11 apiece from the resultant 45, it was Russell who would have the last word as he scored what proved to be the decisive point as he turned.
The excellence of McCormick was the main reason that Termon went in at half-time a point to the good, 0-7 to 0-6 in front with their wing-forward having kicked five points – three of which came from play. He would score nine in all.
However, with Bundoran having faced into the wind in that first half, their manager Niall Dunne wouldn’t have been overly disappointed with a one-point deficit. Michael McEniff popped over their last score of that period and might’ve added a goal right on the stroke of half-time only to drive inches wide of Michael Boyle’s goal from a pass by Timmy Govorov.
It was McCormick’s brace that opened the scoring for Termon, although Alan Russell and then Govorov levelled it for the visitors by the eighth minute. Two more Termon scores – through Caolan McDaid and Shaun O’Donnell restored a two-point cushion at 0-4 to 0-2 for the hosts.
Govorov was in fine form, managing to kick two more points and when Gary Clancy was on the mark on 18 minutes, Bundoran, at 0-5 to 0-4, were in front for the first time. The lead was flittering over and back and it was McCormick’s fifth that meant Termon were in front at the break.
Termon, who face Malin away next weekend, would have seen a chance of a quarter-final on the horizon prior to their matchday three outing against Division 1 chapions Kilcar. Daire McDaid was a key absentee today with a hamstring injury sustained at training on Thursday evening and Shane Doherty was suspended following his dismissal against Four Masters last season.
Bundoran were without Ciaran McCaughey – a sizable facet at centre-field – and knew to gain a victory on the road would’ve been looking to Jamie Brennan, who was held scoreless in the first half by Oisin Cassidy.
Three points at the start of the second half settled Bundoran and established a 0-9 to 0-7 lead, with Clancy scoring twice and Jamie Brennan registering on 36 minutes.
Termon still carried a threat but their inability to score a goal would prove costly. The closest they came was when Aidan Sweeney, on receipt of a give-and-go with Steve McElwaine, got in on 39 minutes and having rounded Carty seemed certain to score only for Paul Murphy to make a massively important block on the line.
At the other end, Bundoran almost fashioned a goal when Russell and Jamie Brennan linked up but the latter’s pass across Termon goalkeeper Boyle’s square was intercepted in the nick of time by Barry Gallagher to preserve a 0-9 to 0-7 lead.
Paul Brennan, the locals would’ve felt, might’ve been lucky to stay on their field after a late challenge on Sweeney with match referee Seamus McGonagle opting for yellow.
Two more McCormick points made tied it up at 0-9 each with 10 to go and although Russell put Bundoran ahead again, McCormick equalled things again.
McEniff, some three minutes from time, punched Bundoran 0-11 to 0-10 ahead, but there was still a chapter to be written in injury time.
Termon:Michael Boyle; Oisin Cassidy, Caolan Gallagher, Nathan McElwaine; Barry Gallagher, Kevin McDaid, Steve McElwaine; Johnny McCafferty, Aiden Sweeney; Ryan McFadden, Christy Connaghan (0-1), Enda McCormick (0-9, 3fs, 2 ’45’); Caolan McDaid (0-1), Ricky Gallagher, Sean ‘The Decent’ O’Donnell. Subs: James McSharry for McCafferty (42), Anthony Grant for Connaghan (56), Dan Connaghan for O’Donnell (58).
Bundoran:Conor Carty; Matthew Duffy, Paul Murphy, Adam Gallagher; Johnny Boyle, Shane McGowan, Oisin Walsh; Cian McEniff, Niall Carr; Timmy Govorov (0-3), Paul Brennan, Alan Russell (0-3); Gary Clancy (0-3, 1f), Jamie Brennan (0-1), Michael McEniff (0-2). Sub: Tommy Hourihane for Carr (56).
Referee:Seamus McGonagle (Aodh Ruadh).
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