BY RYAN FERRY

A MEATH team has already claimed one big victory over a Donegal side this season, although a Cloughaneely man was pleased with the outcome on that occasion.

Ciarán Ó Gallachóir was the goalkeeper for the Wolfe Tones side that defeated Termon in the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta Final on the June Bank Holiday Monday.

Termon appeared to be coasting to victory that day but blew a 13-point lead as Wolfe Tones finished strongly.

Interestingly, Adam O’Neill, who is expected to play at midfield for Meath against Donegal this weekend, was allowed to come on at half-time for the Tones in that triumph.

“We left it late,” Ó Gallachóir smiled.

“We knew Termon would be good. I had been following them up in Donegal and I knew they hadn’t lost a game all year.

“They played very well but it was probably when Adam came on at half-time it broke their kick-out (dominance).

“We scored 2-10 in eleven minutes to turn it around, and that’s the kind of team we are with the players that we have.

“We probably weren’t that happy with our performance but were happy with how we finished the game.”

An Irish and Geography teacher, Ó Gallachóir lived in Dublin for seven years and linked up with Na Gaeil Óga during that time.

Ó Gallachóir and his wife Naomi then decided to move to Meath and he has since taken up a job at Loreto, Navan.

Wolfe Tones is a good fit for him and he got the opportunity to play in the Meath SFC final last year but lost out to a late goal from Matthew Costello’s Dunshaughlin.

Ó Gallachóir is certainly at home in his adopted area as 88 years ago, a number of Irish speaking families from the west of Ireland came to live in Meath under a resettlement scheme being undertaken by the Irish Land Commission.

Families from Fanad and Gaoth Dobhair in Donegal, Belmullet and Tourmakeady in Co Mayo, Ballinskellig and West Kerry and the Bearra Peninsula in West Cork came to Gibbstown, where the large Gerrard Estate was being divided. All who moved were native Irish speakers, many of them with no English.

The ties to Donegal remain strong almost a century later.

“The club have been very welcoming to me and Naomi since we moved here a few years ago.

“The club has massive ties to Donegal already.

“We’re based in Gibbstown and there is a large contingent of Donegal people living here.

“There’s a Mayo road and a Donegal road there with a lot of people from Fanad and Annagry and Gaoth Dobhair.

“When I went to transfer in they were more than happy especially when I had the gaeilge and could help push the Irish language which everyone is very proud of.”

Oisin Martin who was man-of-the-match in the aforementioned Gaeltacht final was in the Meath panel at the start of the year but was cut.

Thomas O’Reilly, who’s mother hails from Convoy – caused huge trouble to Termon in the decider, but while he is training with the county team, he is struggling to make the matchday 26 at the moment.

That shows the type of talent that exists in Meath.

“The buzz around Meath football is huge this year.

“Even since I joined the Tones and played in the Senior Championship, you could see that the footballers and the talent were there.

“It was probably just the structure that wasn’t there.

“I’m actually doing a bit of coaching with the Meath Under 15s at the minute up in Dunganny, and behind the scenes there’s been a transformation really.

“Robbie Brennan has come in, and has changed their style of football, their fitness levels and their tactical awareness.

“People always felt the talent was there and it was just getting the right man in to lead the set-up.

“They’re reaping the rewards now that they are in a semi-final.”

Ó Gallachóir is at home with the Wolfe Tones club but there are no divided loyalties this weekend.

“I spoke to Adam on Saturday when we had a game.

“I said to him that I wish him the best of luck but I hope Donegal win.

“Down here, Meath people are convinced that they are going to win by a couple of points.

“The love of football is always in Meath and the expectation and the anticipation is as high as ever.

“They’re expecting Meath to do a job but I think Donegal will do it. I might not be welcome in Tones until after Sunday again.

“If Donegal perform like they did in the first half against Louth and Monaghan, they might be in trouble but I just think with the two weeks rest, they’ll be ready.

“I don’t think there will be that much in it in the end but I think Donegal will come through.

“I’m going to the match and looking forward to it.

“I’ll probably be sitting with a few of the Tones boys and I’m meeting a few of the lads from home before it.

“I’m a Donegal man and a Cloughaneely man first and foremost so I’m hoping for a Donegal win.”