Oisin Gallen 'proud' to pick up Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh POTY award

Oisin Gallen says both he and the rest of the Donegal players are really looking forward to the start of the 2024 intercounty season. 

Gallen, speaking after picking up his Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh Donegal SFC Player of the Year gong in Ballybofey last night, will pull on a county senior jersey for the first time under Jim McGuinness this weekend. 

Roscommon come to Fr Tierney Park for a high-profile challenge with the proceeds, on Sunday, going towards the North West Hospice. 

Gallen and MacCumhaills’ interest in the race for the Dr Maguire ended at the semi-final juncture with Gaoth Dobhair just proving too strong. However, the 23-year-old signed off with a staggering 1-56 under his own scoring belt.

The Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh award winner is selected by a committee of Donegal sports journalists. Broadcaster Séamus was, of course, synonymous with Donegal GAA, and the voice of Gaelic Games in the county until his untimely death in 2016. 

The award was established to honour his memory and recipients to date include Michael Murphy, Mark McHugh, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Ciarán Thompson, Caolan Ward and Brendan Mc Dyre.

However, Gallen has set a unique precedent in becoming the first winner outside of the perimeters of the actual final itself.  

“It was a lovely surprise when I got the news,” he said. “MacCumhaills were desperate to make the county final and we were so disappointed we didn’t get through. 

“I read it’s voted for by the local journalists so that’s nice. I know how highly regarded Séamus was amongst them - he was one of the game’s real gentlemen. 

“And I’d also like to thank the Mhic Géidigh family for putting the award forward.

“Looking down through the list of names on it, it’s a genuine honour to be in amongst them. 

“They are all players who have lifted the Donegal SFC. And that’s the ultimate aim for MacCumhaills as well now. We’d love to achieve that some day”.   

Donegal supporters were, at the time, glad to draw a definitive line under the 2023 season. But making up for lost time, Gallen admits he wasn’t prepared to put the feet up when the curtain did come down on both the county and club season. 

“It’s been a good year,” thank god,” said Gallen, a primary school teacher at St Aengus’ NS, Bridgend. “After a difficult few years there with injuries, I’m just delighted to get a clear run at it. 

“It’s great to be based at home, to have full-time work and just have that sort of breathing space to balance all of it alongside the football. I’m in a good place.

“With Jim coming on board, that was really exciting. But I was also looking forward to just keeping at it. You take some time off, tick over but I was delighted to eventually get back at it. And it’s been brilliant building towards 2024. 

“Like I said, I’m at home so it’s just made life so much easier now. It gives you the chance to focus on yourself and things like rest and recovery so much better. 

“Sunday is the start of it all now for 2024. The McKenna Cup draw takes place later this evening and the NFL is also just around the corner. 

“Donegal supporters, when you meet them out and about in the lead-up to Christmas, they’re really excited too.  

“At the moment, as a player, you’re kinda on autopilot - you’re getting that really important pre-season base under the belt. But once the action starts, that’s when you really get excited”. 

He added: “There’s a real freshness and focus to it. And Jim was such a hero of mine growing up. I was 11 years old when he managed Donegal to the All-Ireland in 2012. 

“So to get the chance now to work under him, it’s great.  And there will be a good few others in the squad in that same position. So there is a huge level of respect there right away. 

“Like, Christmas is almost upon us and that’s a lovely time of year to spend with friends and family. But as soon as January hits, it’s going to be so full on. And with the concentrated season, it goes by in a flash. Genuinely though, I can’t wait for it”.