Football

Donegal can win another All-Ireland: Rory Gallagher

Donegal manager Rory Gallagher believes his side can recover from their Ulster final defeat by Tyrone and make an assault on the All-Ireland Championship they last won in 2012 <br />Picture by Philip Walsh
Donegal manager Rory Gallagher believes his side can recover from their Ulster final defeat by Tyrone and make an assault on the All-Ireland Championship they last won in 2012
Picture by Philip Walsh
Donegal manager Rory Gallagher believes his side can recover from their Ulster final defeat by Tyrone and make an assault on the All-Ireland Championship they last won in 2012
Picture by Philip Walsh

DONEGAL boss Rory Gallagher admits the end may be nigh for some of his players, but feels they have another assault on an All-Ireland title left in them.

They led in injury-time against Tyrone in the Ulster final earlier this month, but succumbed to late points from Sean Cavanagh, Peter Harte and Kieran McGeary as the Red Hands bridged a six-year gap since their last provincial title.

Donegal won their round four Qualifiers after losing the Ulster final in both 2013 and '15, only to be knocked out by Mayo in the last-eight in both years. Gallagher, in his second year in charge, feels their display against Tyrone, while ultimately unsuccessful, will fuel the belief they could still be playing in September.

“For sure, 100 per cent. That’s ultimately why the boys come back out. When you’ve won the All-Ireland as recently as we have in 2012, we feel we’re a match for anybody in the country," he said.

“If Tyrone were seen as the benchmark, there was very little between the two teams. We’re looking forward and, at the minute, the full focus is on Cork.”

Gallagher admits there is an unspoken acceptance this season could be the last stand for some of his players. Rory Kavanagh (33) came out of retirement to play this year, while Christy Toye (33), Eamon McGee (32), Colm McFadden (32), Karl Lacey (31), Anthony Thompson (30) and Neil McGee (30) all have significant miles on the clock.

“It’s something that’s never spoken, but we’re realistic enough and we know where lads are at in their lives and their careers,” conceded the Tír Chonaill boss.

“That’s fairly clear with the longevity and the age profile of some of our lads. There’s also the huge challenge of trying to get the most out of the last period of your career.”

At the other end of the scale, they have given Championship football to 19-year-old Kieran Gillespie, 20-year-old Eoghan Bán Gallagher and 21-year-old Eoin McHugh this season. They have won two of the last three Ulster minor titles and were strong favourites last year, before being shocked by eventual winners Derry in a provincial semi-final.

With Darach O’Connor back in the frame after a long-term injury and talents like Michael Carroll, Ciaran Thompson and Stephen McBrearty banging at the door, Gallagher has confidence for the future: “I think Donegal are in a fairly good position. The lads off the minor team in 2014 are only maybe 20-years-of-age," he added.

“Tyrone only had one U21 on their team, Cathal McShane. Mayo only really have Diarmuid O’Connor and Dublin don’t have any in their starting team. Those players need time to develop. Eoin McHugh, Marty O’Reilly, Odhran Mac Niallais, they all spent time on the panel learning good habits. There’s a lot of good quality players around Donegal at 17, 18, 19-years-of-age that will hopefully push through in the next couple of years.”

Donegal’s last trip to Headquarters resulted in a 10-point defeat by Dublin in April’s National League semi-final. On their finest days, Croke Park offered them the expanse to implement their counter-attacking plan.

Gallagher believes his side will still relish playing there: “There’s no doubt about it, we have a great affinity with Croke Park over the last five or six years," he said. 

“Both the experienced members and the young members of our squad want to be back there and enjoy it. For some of them, it might be the last game or few games they’re ever going to have in it.”

The Cork team has undergone radical surgery since their last Championship meeting in the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final. Only Eoin Cadogan, Colm O’Neill and Paul Kerrigan of the starting team that afternoon are likely to feature in Peader Healy’s starting 15.

Donegal are likely to have nine of their side still in action, while Neil Gallagher’s recent return to full training could see him included in their 26-man squad for Saturday.