BY RYAN FERRY
DAIRE Gallagher says the Dungloe senior football team will live their dreams today when they take part in the Donegal SFC Final.
Few predicted that Dungloe would make the showpiece decider but they have been in great form in the championship.
There have been ups and downs over the last few years but the team stuck together and now they are getting their rewards.
“It is a very tight group.
“We have been through the mill to be honest.
“We have been relegated together and we came back up together.
“We lost finals together but we kept going and now we’re in the senior final where we always dreamed of reaching.”
Gallagher was in his first year of adult football in 2020 when Dungloe were relegated out of the Senior Championship.
They had put in some decent displays but didn’t have the knack of winning tight games, and lost six games on the spin.
It didn’t feel like it at the time but in hindsight, Gallagher feels the drop to Intermediate football played a significant role in their revival.
“I think it was the best thing that happened the club.
“We didn’t think that at the time but it kind of gave us the kick up the arse to actually put the hard work in.
“These boys have definitely put in the hard work.
“We didn’t let the relegation bother us too much. We got to the Intermediate final the next year and lost after a replay.
“And the next year after that we came back and won the Intermediate.
“Last season we lost to Gaoth Dobhair in a tight match.
“It’s all about learning really. We learned plenty from that Gaoth Dobhair game and we have come back and now we’re in a county final.”
Dungloe finished seventh in Division 2 of the All-County League this year and there were very little signs that they would lift things in the autumn then.
They weren’t competing up at the upper echelons but did get meaningful football into the likes of Aaron Neely and Oran Gallagher, while Conor Greene was able to settle back in after his return from Australia.
“We don’t put any great emphasis on the league.
“It’s not like we’re not putting any effort in. Of course we would like to get promoted and reach the highest level we can in Division 1.
“But it’s not our main focus, and it’s probably not any team’s main focus really when you think about it.
“The championship means everything and that’s what you’re building towards all the time.
“We have performed in the championship and that’s all you can ask for.”
This will be the eighth game that Dungloe have played this year, and in truth, only the final group match with St Naul’s and the preliminary quarter-final with Downings were games that they started as genuine favourites.
They have been upsetting the odds but the team isn’t getting carried away with their form.
“We really were big outsiders coming into this championship.
“But to be honest, we just take it game by game.
“The semi-final was game seven and the final is game eight.
“We don’t look too far ahead. It’s game after game, minute after minute.”
There was a lovely moment after the semi-final win over St Michael’s as Gallagher strolled off the pitch with his dad, Dessie.
It isn’t easy when the manager is your father but Daire sees the hard work that is being put in by Dessie and the rest of the backroom team, and he says they don’t switch off as they try to help the team make gains.
“No he doesn’t.
“It’s the same with the rest of his management team. They’re always looking at something.
“The players are the same. They never switch off either.
“If we’re not training, the boys will be in the gym or they will be out on the pitch kicking.
“They are always looking to get that extra yard on the next team we are playing.
“We have good numbers at training which is a help. Ryan Connors comes home from Galway and Barry (Curran) and Jason McBride come home from Dublin on a Wednesday.
“We have 18, 19, 20 players at every training session and you need that.
“The commitment is brilliant. Those boys are travelling three and-a-half hours to come to training for a club team. It’s not heard of really.”
Gallagher is relishing today’s match although he appreciates that they are meeting formidable opposition.
“It’s what you dream of as a young fella to be in the county final against St Eunan’s, who are one of the best teams in Donegal.
“They have the experience. They won one a couple of years ago so they know what it takes.
“We’re obviously the underdogs and we will take it.”
PANEL
Dungloe panel: Danny Rodgers, Jason Mc Bride, Aaron Ward, Mark Curran, Barry Curran, Conor O’ Donnell, Karl Magee, Darren Curran, Ryan Connors, Dylan Sweeney, Daire Gallagher, Matthew Ward, Oran Gallagher, Noel Mc Bride, Oisin Bonner, Damian Mc Gowan, Conor Diver, Aaron Neely, Danny Mc Glynn, Shaun Mc Gee, Daniel Ward, Ethan Mc Caffrey, Luke Clerkin, Ciaran Sharkey, Patrick O’ Donnell, Conor Greene.
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