Football

Rory Gallagher calls on Ulster Council to investigate University participation in Dr McKenna Cup

Donegal manager Rory Gallagher  
Donegal manager Rory Gallagher   Donegal manager Rory Gallagher  

DONEGAL manager Rory Gallagher has said he does not think that third level colleges should be taking part in the Dr McKenna Cup.

The Fermanagh native has called on the Ulster Council to look into the continued participation of Queen’s University, St Mary’s University College, Belfast and Ulster University.

Gallagher, who makes no secret of the fact that he is not a fan of the competition, has decided that Donegal should field an U21 side in this year’s competition.

Gallagher said Donegal “had 15 players committed to colleges and I don’t think the colleges should be in the competition.

“They play in the Ryan Cup, the McKenna Cup and the Sigerson and then you are having the CPA [Club Players’ Association] telling us an average club player just has a relatively very few games.

“The Ulster Council should look at them [the colleges], and it [the McKenna Cup] is of no use to us as we don’t have access to all our players.

“This is going to be tough for the U21s against Cavan and Tyrone, but I think it is very good preparation for them.

“We are not interested in playing in the McKenna Cup without a full squad, but we are interested in making an impression in the League.

“We train Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and we have 14 lads away and we don’t have everyone.

“A number of players have decided to go quietly and that is where we are at. And we want to stay up in Division One.”

Rory Kavanagh has retired from inter-county duty  
Rory Kavanagh has retired from inter-county duty   Rory Kavanagh has retired from inter-county duty  

Meanwhile, Gallagher said he was “excited” to get started with his very youthful squad after eight players from last year’s contingent left for various reasons.

He announced on Monday that veterans Rory Kavanagh, Christy Toye and David Walsh were now joining Colm McFadden, Eamon McGee, Leo McLoone, Odhran Mac Niallais and Anthony Thompson in the list of departures.

Gallagher, though, remains hopeful that Mac Niallais and Thompson will be back. But he said he was looking forward to working with all the new underage talent coming through.

“These younger lads at 19, 20, 21 and 22, it is all in front of them and they are mad keen and want to be in from day one and I for one am excited by it.”

So was that why he sought the extended four-year term?

“Ah yeah, we inevitably felt there was a breaking-up of the team this year and there was no doubt about that.

“There are some lads who are still playing for a long time and are still involved, but it is a new team and there will be a number of new players playing in the League and also playing in the Championship.

And Gallagher also hinted at another possible clear-out in a year’s time.

"There are lads who are on the panel this year who are very unlikely to be there next year,” he added.

The Donegal boss was very encouraged by the fine display the U21s gave against UU in Ballybofey on Sunday.

“They played some wonderful football and I have seen them at training over the last five or six weeks and they have played a few challenge games as well,” he said.

“They played really well and there is a lot of quality there, we are looking forward to bedding them in with the current squad.

“Micheal Carroll, Michael Langan, Cian McGonigle and Jason McGee are big men. They have lots of ability and are of the same frame as Christy Toye, Neil Gallagher and Rory Gallagher.

“We have not picked a League squad yet and they will get their chance every night in training and in challenge games. If they are putting their hand up they have a great chance.

“We are looking to Kerry and we believe that what we have seen over the past week, we will be very competitive and capable in Division One.”

When asked about Michael Murphy doing The Toughest Trade television show, he said he had no problem with his captain trying something different.

“Michael has been training very hard on his own and I hope he enjoys his week,” said Gallagher.

“He is going in January and Michael [Murphy] would not do anything to interfere with the League.

“It did not interfere with Mayo’s preparation in the slightest last year.

“He is into rugby and he will get a chance to see how they prepare and he will be looking to learn from it all the time. It is a great experience”.