BY RYAN FERRY
DONEGAL U20 defender Cathal Ó Gallchoir is enjoying the feel-good factor surrounding football in the county at the moment and he’s hoping he can help his side qualify for another Ulster Final on Wednesday evening.
The Donegal senior men’s and ladies teams have both collected league titles while Ó Gallchoir and his teammates have won their first four games in the Under 20 Championship.
However, it’s knock-out from here on and that will bring a new dynamic.
Ó Gallchoir scored a goal in last year’s Ulster Under 20 Final but the team suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Tyrone.
The sides will meet again in this year’s semi-final with a few survivors from both teams.
Tyrone have already lost to Cavan and Armagh in this year’s championship but Paul Devlin’s charges claimed a big scalp when they defeated Derry on Wednesday night.
They now take on Gary Boyle’s Donegal and there should be a good crowed at St Mary’s for the tie.
“There’s a great buzz about football in the county,” said Ó Gallchoir.
“We have had some good results but we need to improve as well.
“We will get the head down and work hard and hopefully we can get back into an Ulster Final.”
Ó Gallchoir will still be eligible for the Under 20s next year and was brought straight into the set-up after his final minor year.
“It was a tough step up because of the physicality.
“But to be fair last year there were a lot of players that backed me.
“In fairness to Gary (Boyle) he was great as well and gave me a lot of confidence.
“There was a big difference in being a minor and then Under 20 player because you’re coming up against stronger men.
“I was just happy to get the game time and learn.”
Cathal ‘Rua’ is Year One Construction Management student at Ulster University.
That means a commute for training but fortunately his father Daniel and Gallagher Coaches know the road to Belfast well.
“I’ve been up and down good bit.
“It’s not too bad for me.
“Dad is always going up and down with the buses so it’s handy for me.
“We’re able to work that.”