Charlie Gallagher to be remembered at GAA Masters International Rules series

The Gaelic Masters International Rules games between Ireland and Australia over the next two weekends will have a really significant Donegal connection and not just in the playing and management personnel.

There will be games at Over 40s and Over 50s level and one of the cups is being named in memory of a former Donegal International player, Charlie Gallagher, who passed to his reward much too early in 2022.

Charlie was a former Donegal GAA Masters player for a number of years winning All-Ireland Senior and Shield titles and and also represented Ireland when the series was held back in 2016.

One of the chief organisers of the Donegal Masters in recent years, Paul Gallagher of Naomh Muire, said they approached the family and they were very supportive of the idea. “And at their meeting last week the proposal to have Charlie’s name on one of the cups was approved by the Irish Gaelic Masters and the AFL,” said Gallagher.

The series begins this Saturday with the Over 40s and Over 50s meeting Australia in Charlestown, while the second games take place the following Saturday in Denn in Co. Cavan. The winners will be decided on aggregate score.

Donegal will be represented by Paul Gallagher and Conor McShane for the Over 50s and Over 40s respectively and by Diane McGlynn (Toner) on the Ladies team.

They also have representatives at management level with Mark Cannon part of the Mens O-50s management while Maria Devenney is part of the  Ladies management.