Ulster mindset has changed so much for Donegal clubs - Daragh Gallagher

Daragh Gallagher admits that every now and then 2010’s Ulster Club SFC final reels through his mind. 

Cathal Corey famously led Naomh Conaill to their second Dr Maguire crown 13 seasons ago but also came within a whisker of landing a provincial title that same season. 

Armagh kingpins Crossmaglen Rangers trailed the Glenties side 0-7 to 1-3 at the break with Jamie Clarke’s goal bridging a real gap after Corey’s team had dominated the opening half hour. 

Tony Kernan did level matters up on the resumption but was then sent off as Cross went down to 14 men. 

There was barely time to draw breath between that and Oisin McConville netting for the Orchard men and a brilliant second-half display eventually saw Cross claim yet another Ulster crown on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-10. 

Naomh Conaill did get within two points of Kilcoo back in 2019 having fallen seven behind at one stage in the first-half. Still, the Down men didn’t panic and always seemed to have their paw on the control stick in Healy Park that day. 

But nine seasons prior, on a crisp and cold winter’s day, it looked like Naomh Conaill’s energetic youngsters were going to slay that dominant black and amber dragon.  

“Donegal sides hadn’t done well in Ulster for so long,” recalls former Naomh Conaill senior sharpshooter Gallagher. “Even in 2005, it wasn’t something that we gave too much thought to. 

“We went up to Mayobridge and gave it a go. But it was pure bonus territory after landing our first ever Donegal SFC title. By the time 2010 came around there definitely was a different attitude.  

“A lot of the team had been involved in Ulster minor tournaments up in Belfast where we’d held our own so it wasn’t that unfamiliar to be going outside Donegal.

“That morning, there was talk the game might be off because the roads were in really bad shape. We had to take a completely different route and by the time we landed Cross were already out on the field going through their warm-ups.

“We’d picked up some nice momentum. The first day out we had a real dingdong clash with Kingscourt and had already got a feel for Breffni. It rolled on and we also beat Coalisland in Enniskillen by a single point.  

“Yeah, you do think about it every now and then because we did have them on the ropes. Like, that Cross side had an aura and a reputation at the time. Some viewed them as invincible, especially in Ulster. 

“Besides the goal, we’d a perfect first-half. But there was a hectic few minutes right at the start of that second-half. And with the sending off and the goal coming back to back, we probably just didn’t have the experience to maybe deal with that.

“I think we’d a sideline ball immediately after the red card but they turned it over. We just didn’t have the experience or knowhow maybe in terms of game management. 

Jamie Clarke took on his man and his square allowed McConville to palm it in. And to be fair that was it, game over. 

“We were a man up but before we’d even a chance to rethink or reshape, they took the lead. The game was played on their terms from that point on. They found that familiar gear. But there is no doubt there was a chance there to ask some serious questions of them”. 

Gallagher, along with his wife Sandra and three small children now live in Grange, Co Sligo but he still togs out for the club’s junior team and gets along to as many as Naomh Conaill’s big outings as he can. 

“Yeah - we’ll go along again on Sunday, definitely. It’s amazing what they’re doing. And with Downings out as well in the Intermediate game beforehand, there will be a great atmosphere. Last year will have hurt, that loss to Cargin in Belfast. 

“They probably couldn’t really chat about that until they got back to the top in Donegal. Brendan McDyer and Tony Thompson were both missing. Even in 2015 against Trillick, I remember Tony got red carded and Brick did the cruciate. 

“That’s why I’m excited about Sunday. We’ve more or less a clean bill of health”. 

One player who didn’t seem to be missed domestically is cruciate victim Eoghan McGettigan. But Gallagher admits Naomh Conaill would have an even greater chance at provincial success on Sunday away to Gowna if his mercurial talents were available to boss Martin Regan this time out.  

“Listen, Eoghan has been so unlucky. He’s different to most players out there. He’s electric. The day we beat Clontibret in 2019 Eoghan was simply untouchable. If he was fit and available, Eoghan would be number one on the team sheet. And I don’t say that lightly. 

“He’s such a miss but it just showed the depth of Naomh Conaill in Donegal when they still lifted the Dr Maguire”. 

As for Regan, Gallagher says his legacy at Davy Brennan Memorial Park is already secured. He almost stepped away last year but player power bent his ear once more. 

“Behind it all, he’s one of the lads. He’s a best mate to all us older fellas but he’s still able to step into that role as manager without compromising any of that. There is real respect in that sense, a two-way street. 

“When family and life comes along it can be so hard, impossible even, to still give that kind of commitment. He has four kids now but his wife Orla is a huge GAA fan as well and that support is there. It will be very hard to replace him that’s for sure. 

“He’s such a club man. I’m sure he could step up to that next level, county minor, U-20 or whatever. But it’s always been Naomh Conaill first and foremost with Martin. It’s a golden period and you have to wring as much out of it as possible. 

“And Martin is so central to all of that. It won’t last forever. What’s happened in the last 20 years is nothing short of miraculous. So you have to travel with real hope and optimism on Sunday”.  

Naomh Conaill scorers against Crossmaglen in 2010 were: Dermot Molloy 0-4,4f; Daragh Gallagher 0-3,2f; Brendan McDyer 0-2; Leo McLoone 0-1.

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Thomas Donoghue, Johnny Bonner, Ciaran Boyle; Marty Boyle, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Wade; Martin Regan, Johnny McLoone; Brendan McDyre; Leo McLoone, Daragh Gallagher; John O'Malley, Dermot Molloy, Leon Thompson. 

Subs: Seamus Corcoran for L Thompson (50), John McKenna for J O’Malley (57).