A positive start on and off the field for Termon

By Michael McMullan

IT has been a memorable start to the season for Termon both on and off the field.

Last year, their senior men were intermediate champions and also promoted to Division Two this season.

Their recent victory over Malin puts them top of the table in Donegal with five wins in as many games.

The club, who have a rich history in ladies football, have also showcased their new clubhouse that will officially open in June.

“Without a doubt it’s very positive,” chairman Daireann Gibson said of the club’s 2025 to date.

Gibson points to a talented group of players but caveats it with not having the a host of county players, an advantage when coming up against teams not at full strength.

“I think the new rules are also serving us well when it comes to game time as well,” he added.

“The boys are just taking each game as it comes. They’re fairly focused and fairly committed. There’s a good vibe in the camp so hopefully it continues.”

Playing in Division One has been an attraction for the clubs’ supporters.

Games are easier on the eye. That’s what people want to see.

Away from the training field, the club put their shoulder to the wheel to progress on a development plan put in place around eight years ago.

They took stock with the feeling they were “battling below their potential”. In terms of infrastructure, finance, coaching and development, there was a commitment to move the club on.

A line was drawn in the sand. They knew where they wanted to get to and broke it down into stages. One component was the club house.

“We got around 50 people into a room,” Gibson said of their starting point. “In fairness, all of those people have stuck with it since that and we’ve added to it.”

There also the pride that volunteers in the club rolled up their sleeves to chip in whatever time they had to get the clubhouse finished. There were five o’clock in the morning starts on Saturday mornings.

The finished product is what you can see. Having the senior footballers shoot themselves top of the table is another tangible sign of progress. But, it goes deeper.

“It’s the community engagement,” Gibson added.

“That’s the brilliant thing about the GAA. Once you have the community engaged and the community are fully invested in it, special things can happen.

“Fortunately, there’s some very good things happening in Termon now at the minute because the community are very much engaged and very much invested,” the chairman added.