Name: Francis Gallagher
Age: 29
Occupation: Special Needs Assistant
Team: Naomh Muire/Gweedore United
If you were throwing a party and you could invite anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would you ask around? Conor McGregor to keep Brian Gillespie quiet, Lewis Capaldi for the banter and entertainment, and Paul McBride because he never misses any excuse for a pint.
Where do you like to go out to celebrate after a big victory? Usually would stay local with Sharkey’s but we do enjoy venturing up the town in Dungloe as well.
What’s the worst pitch you’ve ever played on? For Gaelic definitely Dungloe. I got tackled on one ’45’ and got up after it on the opposite 45. The hill is that steep. For soccer probably Cappry on a wet day it’s like a mud bath at a spa.
Which character in any film are you most like? That’s a tough one I’d like to think I’d be like Michael Jordan from Space Jam but probably more like Daffy Duck!
Any odd items in your kit bag? Wouldn’t say odd but I’m fond of a pair of boots probably have three pairs with me at all times.
Who’s the biggest joker in the team you play for? There’s a few but myself and Brian Gillespie are always having a go at each other! But the old gaffer Paul McBride is the true joker of the club. Pure hero.
Which teammate has the best looking other half? Ah I’d have to say my own because I’m hopefully getting married this year (if we get out of lockdown).
Who is the worst/best trainer? Lockdown has us training a bit different this year but worst trainers would probably be Daniel Ward (seems to be always injured for the runs but 100% ready for ball work) and Maurice McBride (saves himself to win the last run always!). Best trainers would be Paddy McCaff loves timing his 5ks and OB (Adam O’Brien) he doesn’t stop running.
Who spends most time in front of the mirror in the dressing room? Would have been Shaun the Yank but he’s down in Oz looking in mirrors now. So would have to be Beast (Laurence Coyle), who enjoys a wee fix of his hair before heading to Sharkey’s.
Who’s the best/worst person to sit beside on the team bus? Best probably the Twins (Jack and Thomas) and Daz (Darren Sweeeny). We have wars at indoor but they have different stories every week. Wouldn’t say there’s a worst…maybe Ronan Duffy talking about knowing every winning team of the Donegal Intermediate hampionship since God knows how far back.
Who has the best and who has the worst diet on the team, and what does it include? Best would be Adi O’Gara the man hasn’t touched a arb since 2010! Worst probably Duffy and Gillespie they enjoy a liquid diet if you know what I mean.
Toughest opponent you have faced? Cory Gallagher (Dungloe) and Conor Gibbons (St Eunan’s) – pure rapid.
Best or worst quote you’ve heard, either from a manager, player, opponent? “There’s my Goal King!” – Paul McBride
Best manager you’ve ever played under? Danny O’Donnell was great but Paul McBride was probably the best he’d always have his arm around you to make you feel like a superstar! (But he’ll always say I’m the only one to cuss him out of it in his three years in charge).
Best ever performance? Probably U-16 Divisional final against Naomh Brid scored a hat-trick. I was a corner back the season before, then turned full-forward and haven’t looked back since. Also, this is a weird one but few years back Gillespie had a dream the night before the game saying I would score a hat-trick. Well the next day I scored the hat-trick but was taken off at half-time for over celebrating!
One to forget? County Minor Semi-final against St. Eunan’s still to this day their players say we should have won it.
Sporting ambition? To win more silverware with Naomh Muire and Gweedore United but would love an Intermediate medal to match my Dad’s (Frankie Pat RIP) collection.
When you were playing in the back garden, who did you pretend to be? For soccer it would have been Ryan Giggs or Henrik Larsson but for GAA would have been Ciaran McDonald (no black boots in sight).
If you were in charge of transfers, who’d be in and who’d be out of the team? Don’t think I’d get rid of anybody even though I get that much abuse. Probably transfer H (Harry Harden) Yank and Grant back in and get that Minor forward line back together again!
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