Eoghan Bán Gallagher says Galway draw was the least Donegal deserved

Wing-back Eoghan Bán Gallagher felt Sunday’s share of the league points with Galway was a massive result in Donegal’s battle for Division a survival.

The Killybegs clubman was also especially happy with the way they clawed their way back into the game after going two points down to the beaten All-Ireland finalist, late in the game to grab a 1-9 apiece draw.  

“We did well to have fought back to get the draw after letting the lead slip away in the third quarter,” said Gallagher. Donegal led by three points at half-time but did not score for the best part of half an hour in the second period.

“I’m told we didn’t score until the 32nd minute of the second half. That is something we are going to have to look at and learn from. We just have to be ready for battle like that every day regardless of how things are going. “You must be prepared to fight for every ball and I feel we did that today much better than we had done in previous games.”

The concession of the goal to Matthew Tierney within a minute of Oisin Gallen tucking away a 27th minute penalty did not bother Gallagher.                                                                                                                                                        

“That is football,” he said. “These things happen but the good thing is after they scored their goal we responded well and kicked the next score to put us three ahead.” 

Donegal led 1-6 to 1-3 at half-time but faced into a stiff breeze in the second half. 

“At half-time we knew we needed to kick on at the start of the second half and get more scores on the board. We felt we were going to need to score 1-12 , 1-13, 1-14 to win the game.  That did not happen. Galway  upped the tempo in the second half as we expected.  Every team in Division 1  is going to fight and we have to be ready for it as well.

“But we hung on and while we had chances after half-time they did not just go over for us. Four or five efforts dropped short and we had a few shots that went off the post. The were not bad shot selections or anything like that. You just get days like that and there is nothing you can do is keep playing to the finish. And that is what we did today and we got the draw. I think it was the least we deserved.”  

Draw between Donegal and Galway suits family who had divided loyalties on the day

Sean Kelly captained Galway on Sunday against Donegal and his brothers Eoghan and Paul are all playing under Padraig Joyce. They are nephews of Philomena Friel, the former Principal at Scoil Mhuire, Ramelton

The game was only Gallagher’s second game back having missed the first two games through injury.  He said he was glad to be back and being able to contribute and that is what  every single person in the dressing room wants to do. 

The draw means Donegal are now three points and are off the bottom of the Division 1 table, one point ahead of Tyrone who are on two points. And Donegal are only one adrift of Armagh, Monaghan, Galway and Kerry who are on four points. 

Paddy Carr’s side have  Armagh, away, Mayo at home and Roscommon, away, in their remaining three games. 

“We know we need to lift the levels of our intensity,” Gallagher added. “We know we haven’t been quite at the levels required and that starts next weekend against Armagh.  Armagh in the Athletic Grounds is a big challenge as are the others.  Mayo in Ballybofey and  Roscommon,away. They are all going to be tough games. But survival is on the line and we are ready to fight for it. “