LAST YEAR TERMON used their victory in the Donegal Ladies’ SFC final against Glenfin as a launchpad for the most memorable season in their history.
Francie Friel’s team went on to overcome Monaghan flag-bearers Donaghmoyne 4-7 to 3-8 in the Ulster final before toppling Mourneabbey 3-12 to 1-13 in the Tesco HomeGrown All-Ireland Senior Club Championship final at Tuam Stadium in Galway.
With Donegal winning a first Ulster SFC and going onto reach the All-Ireland quarter-finals this year, the club scene in the north-west took a bit of a back burner.
Termon had seven involved in Davy McLaughlin’s panel – Laura Gallagher, Therese McCafferty, Nicole McLaughlin, Emer Gallagher, Shannon McGroddy, Roisin McCafferty and Geraldine McLaughlin – and also have Olive McCafferty, who is commuting from Glasgow, on the Scotland team ahead of their All-Ireland Junior final against Louth on Sunday week.
“It’s been difficult to get collective training until the last couple of weeks,” manager Friel said. “We just battered on with who we had available and then gave the county girls a bit of a break. We’ve managed six training sessions in the last 15 days and it’s not ideal. But you play the cards you are dealt.”
Friel expects to have a full panel available for tomorrow’s final in Convoy, throw-in 3pm, although Shannon McGroddy is taking a year out. Termon know they’re putting their title on the line against a fine Glenfin team.
“I suppose we’re up on the pedestal and Glenfin might have less pressure on them,” Friel continued. “When two teams play one another a lot there’s always a chance that one can get one on the other. From our point of view, we’ve built up good experience over the last few years and we hope that will stand to is.
“Glenfin have a serious team and we know nothing less than our ‘A game’ will do on Sunday.”
Glenfin’s Yvonne McMonagle
Termon defeated Glenfin in each of the last two county finals – 2-10 to 0-14 in 2013 and then 4-18 to 1-11 last year – and on Sunday are aiming for a fourth successive county championship.
Glenfin are now under the management of Joanne McKenna, whose in her first year in the job. She jumped at the chance to manage her native club having returned from 17 years in New York, where she played for Mayo, Na Fianna and New York.
“It was a good opportunity,” she said. “I was approached by a few girls and thought I would go for it.”
Glenfin also have a significant input into the county set-up with captain Katie Herron, Gemma Glackin, Yvonne McMonagle and Karen Guthrie in tow. Grainne Houston is back from Dubai and Anna Marie McGlynn has returned from Australia.
“Termon had a great year last year and as All-Ireland champions are not going to give away their crown without a huge fight,” McKenna said. “Their progress and that of the Donegal county team have shown how good the standard is in Donegal and it’s continuing to improve.
“There’s a rivalry now between the two teams with them meeting so regularly and although Termon might’ve had the best of it in recent times, we’re raring to go for Sunday.”
Tags:
