Football

Donegal GAA star Neil Gallagher calls time on county career

Neil Gallagher (Donegal) of the 2015 All Stars in action against Ryan McHugh (Donegal) of the 2016 All Stars during the GAA GPA All-Stars football tour sponsored by Opel at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Neil Gallagher (Donegal) of the 2015 All Stars in action against Ryan McHugh (Donegal) of the 2016 All Stars during the GAA GPA All-Stars football tour sponsored by Opel at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Neil Gallagher (Donegal) of the 2015 All Stars in action against Ryan McHugh (Donegal) of the 2016 All Stars during the GAA GPA All-Stars football tour sponsored by Opel at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

ONE of Donegal’s greatest icons has moved on, as big Neil Gallagher has retired from the GAA inter-county scene.

“His body does not allow him to continue,” team boss Rory Gallagher revealed in a press briefing last night.

The towering 33-year-old broke down in training and was just not able to continue, according to team boss Rory Gallagher.

His shock departure leaves a huge gap in Donegal’s midfield and may mean that Michael Murphy will have to continue to alternate between full-forward and centre-field.

His exit means a virtual end of an era, as only Karl Lacey, Neil McGee, and Frank McGlynn are still around from that generation of players that won the All-Ireland in 2012.

“This is a very sad day for us all and none more than for big Neil himself who has been so important to Donegal for so many years,'' said Rory Gallagher.

“He holds a very special place in the hearts of Donegal supporters.

“He had a recurring back problem and then last Tuesday he broke down.

‘It’s a disc problem and he is just not able to continue.

“Neil has broke down a number of times and last Tuesday evening he took a few days to consider it and he is turning 34 in May.

“We are very disappointed and I had a special relationship with him and I wanted him to be there.

“Neil just loved the game so much and I remember meeting him at matches all over the place before I came to the Donegal set up,'' he continued.

“He has a huge passion for the game and has a huge interest in the tactical end of the game.

“And he was a great man to have around the dressing room.”

Some thought that Gallagher might not fit into the new Donegal set up in 2011, but he proved all the doubters wrong.

“I remember talking to Michael Murphy that year and he told me that Big Neil Gallagher was a really great player, one of the best player he ever played with,'' he said.

“He was very special in 2012 especially against Cork.

“His catching ability and presence was huge and he also had a great All-Ireland final.

“Neil is soft spoken but has a great steeliness underneath and was an unbelievable competitor and got himself into great shape and was also outstanding for Glenswilly when they won their first county championship.

“And he could always find Michael Murphy with a radar pass for so many goals.

“I would not be surprised to see him go into management fairly soon as he has all the attributes.'

The gentle Glenswilly giant was a major factor in Donegal winning the All-Ireland title in 2012 and his display against a powerful Cork side was one of the finest individual performances.

Gallagher made his debut in 2005 and captained Donegal to a NFL title in 2007 in a team that contained Adrian Sweeney, Brendan Devenney, Brian Roper and Damian Diver.

Elsewhere, Donegal will be without Paddy McBrearty who was taken off with a groin injury in the game against Roscommon.

Karl Lacey is “working back to fitness” but will not be available until the latter stages of the NFL.

And Ciaran Gillespie, the young Gaoth Dobhair star is still just short of an appearance while Martin McElhinney, who is seen as a possible replacement for Big Neil Gallagher could also be in contention for some game time against the Dubs.