DERRY have made a good decision by appointing Rory Gallagher as their manager says Eoghan Ban Gallagher who has played under the Fermanagh native with Donegal and at club level with Killybegs.
Former Donegal boss Rory Gallagher was appointed to the Derry helm earlier this month and his former Tir Chonaill protégé says he has all the tools required to be a success in the Oak Leaf county.
“I’ve worked with Rory for the last six year and he’s an extremely intelligent man and a great coach,” said Eoghan Ban.
“He has helped bring on a lot of players in Killybegs, he did a lot of development with Donegal in the U21 teams and I think it is a good appointment by Derry.
“We’re delighted to have him on board with Killybegs anyway. He trains the team and John Cunningham is the manager. Rory is an inter-county manager and it’s great to have somebody with that kind of experience on board at club level.”
Rory Gallagher’s two years as manager of his native Fermanagh yielded promotion to Division Two and an Ulster final appearance in 2018. However, Fermanagh’s style during that time earned Belleek native Gallagher a reputation as a defensive coach. Eoghan Ban says that is unfair.
“I think he tries to find the balance (between defence and attack) just like any coach,” said the wing-back.
“I just think the way it panned out for Fermanagh, they ended up not having a lot of the ball and nearly every team nowadays defends with 13 or 14 players so attacks are slow enough.
“Fermanagh weren’t much different from a lot of other teams and I’m sure Rory will be trying to get the offensive and defensive sides of right with Derry. I don’t think he sees himself as a defensive coach and I know with Killybegs he is trying to coach both so I presume he is going to do the exact same with Derry.”
Meanwhile, Donegal manager Declan Bonner will remain at the helm next season, his third. The first two have delivered Ulster titles and Gallagher says the players are delighted with his reappointment.
“We’re delighted to keep him on board,” he said.
“The whole management team is very important – Karl Lacey, Gary Boyle, Stephen Rochford… They are all equally important and they are one big group just like us as the playing panel.
“Everybody has to play their part so we’re delighted to keep Declan on board.”
