Kevin 'Cookie' Gallagher has challenged his players to break his Breffni record

Downings manager, Kevin ‘Cookie’ Gallagher has set his marksmen a unique challenge on Sunday next when they take on Cavan Intermediate champions, Ballyhaise, in the quarter-final of the Ulster Intermediate Club championship in Kingspan Breffni Park.

The former Donegal minor has good memories of the only time he played at the venue, in the Ulster Minor Championship quarter-final in 1992, the curtain-raiser to the Donegal-Cavan senior game on what was a memorable year.

Gallagher was half-forward on the Donegal minor team that defeated Cavan by 1-11 to 0-6 and contributed 1-1 of the winners’ total.

Now, 31 years later, he has challenged his big front three of Johnny McGroddy, Lorcan Connor and Paddy McElwee to raise a green flag at the venue.

“I actually remember a good bit about that day. I got injured in the lead-up to that first round game. I got injured in a schools’ game, myself and James Ruane actually collided. I was named as A N Other.

“Sean (Ward, the Donegal manager) was on to me about a fella I would be playing against, I can’t remember his name, but he had a ponytail and Sean was referring to him as Cavan’s Damien Diver.

“Sean was saying, ‘I want you to mark him and do whatever it takes.

“I ended up getting a goal and a point from half-forward,  but I had to move back into defence in the second half.”

The goal came in the 12th minute of the game, Gallagher getting his fist to a 45m free from Donal Buggy.

“I think Barry Ward was somewhere in the vicinity and lurking around there too. Right place, right time.”

It was his one and only time playing at the venue and those good memories will be mentioned many times this week. And he is also using the fact that he scored there as sort of motivation for his sharpshooters. The goal was captured at the time and appeared in the Democrat’s coverage the following week.

“I have actually planted a seed with Lorcan (Kevin’s son). He would have seen the picture about the house. He has beaten me in most things but I would safely say I’m the last man from Downings to score a goal in Breffni.

“I’ve set the challenge for Johnny (McGroddy) and Paddy McElwee as well.

“I firmly believe that goals in games play a big part. If you can keep them out at the other end and get them in the net, we won’t be far away.”

Gallagher was this week putting the final touches to their preparation and included in that was plenty of video analysis of their opponents.

“We have seen their Intermediate final against Denn. They have been in the last three Intermediate finals, losing the other two. They are a big strong, physical team with a spine up the middle,” said Gallagher, who listed their ‘keeper Gary O’Rourke, full-back Eoin Clarke; centre-half back Aodhagan Watters; Evan Watters and forwards Michael and David Brady as among those who they have to pay special attention to.

“They are a Division 1 team in Cavan and they will take a bit of beating. But look, it’s a place you want to be.”

MAC'S VIEW: Naomh Conaill have capacity to advance to Ulster semi-final

Former Donegal All-Ireland winning manager confident that Naomh Conaill can advance to Ulster semi-final on Sunday next

Downings had a great run in the Ulster Junior Club championship two years ago, losing out in the final to Cavan club, Denn, the team that Ballyhaise beat in the Cavan final this year.

“I feel we are a better team now than we were two years ago. We’re more conditioned and fitter. And I would like to think we are smarter. You can’t legislate for what can happen on any particular day.

“There is a bit of a buzz about now again, people online buying hats,” said Gallagher, who said that the buzz at training with young people about it is good for the players.

“But we are under no  illusion, we have no God given right. It will be a battle and if we can hang in there, I have no doubt about our mental strength and fitness.”

He also feels that the players have had a taste of the occasion, both in Ulster and at national level in the Comortas Peil na Gaeltachta.

“The most of the boys have had experience outside the county, not just the junior club two years ago but in Comortas Peil na Gaeltachta.

“But even if you have everything ready, you can never prep for a game. Even two years ago against Denn, we went in level  at half-time and you’re saying we’re very fortunate here, can we kick on? But then with injuries,” says Gallagher, who says in hindsight there were two players who should not have started because of injury. But you live and learn.”

Gallagher agrees that the panel is stronger now. “We hadn’t Paddy McElwee and Ronan Gallagher didn’t start, he only came on near the end as he was injured. We shouldn’t have started Alan Pasoma. He ended up tearing the hamstring off the bone and then missed six or seven months of football last year as a result.

“You’re hoping for the big players, I don’t differentiate,  but you want the Johnnys and Paddys and Lorcans getting the scores. If them three are prominent on the scoreboard, then you are in with a chance.”

And if one of the above gets a goal and ruins Gallagher’s 31-year-record, the last Downings man to score a goal in Breffni, what reward will they get?

“They might get five minutes off training on Tuesday night,” laughs Gallagher.