OF all the great triumphs, the iconic Neil Gallagher has had in his illustrious career, Sunday’s sweetest of victories is right up there with captaining Donegal to a NFL title in 2007 and even the magical 2012 All-Ireland title.
It is less than two minutes since Gallagher, his comrade Michael Murphy and colleagues made light of some crazy 6/1 odds to beat Kilcar and take their third county title in five years.
Even in the heat of victory, Gallagher is still too much of a gentleman to say “we told you so” as he tries to take in this very special occasion.
“I was speechless back in 2011, but I am even more speechless now. I have never been in involved in a game like it. We were given no hope and, in fairness, Kilcar were flying, but I just can’t believe it and this is just the best ever feeling.
“It means so much to us in the Glen and I suppose we lost by two points to St Eunan’s in the 2014 final
and they were the better team on that day. But we just came out today and I am so very happy for all the boys.
“It was a tough year and we beat St Eunan’s in a league match by 0-3 to 0-2 and there was so much negativity around it. But to be here now and to win the championship is just great.”
So was the fact that nobody gave the Glen the slightest chance a factor in the victory? Gallagher is as emphatic and candid as ever.
“I don’t really pay much attention to all of that as you still have to just go and win it no matter if you are big favourites or not, you still have to go and win it. Massive respect to Kilcar as they came out in the second half and they really gave it to us.
“I don’t know what the score was in the end, I just knew that we won by a point. We did not score all that much in the second half and I am just delighted for Michael [Murphy]and Gary [McFadden], Michael was out for a while in the League. Numbers were down and boys were away and I just can’t believe it.
“I used to love to go and watch St Eunan’s. The first win was when they beat Ardara back in the 1980s and Rory Kavanagh and those boys have four or five county titles, but I never thought that we would get three.
“I was struggling with injury for so much of this year and was hardly able to train but we were very well prepared.”
And when asked if this would be a springboard for a welcome return to the county squad he said: “I am not thinking too much about that but we will enjoy this one.”
They certainly will. Especially at 6/1.
