Gilmore in action and, set, celebrating his big day with new bride Aoife
Mickey McCann paid tribute to newly married Gerard Gilmore who top-scored for Donegal against Roscommon, on Saturday, just two days after his wedding.
The midfielder and Donegal’s leading marksman married Aoife Campbell from Killygordon, in Killygordon, on Thursday but still made time to star for Donegal as they booked their place in this year’s Nickey Rackard All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final.
“Fair play to Gerard, he got married on Thursday and came here two days later and put in a big shift for us,” said Donegal manager Mickey McCann after the 1-25 to 2-10 victory.
“He is a big player for us. He is our freetaker and it is a big thing to ask of someone, after their own wedding, so you’ve got to hand it to both him and Aoife.
“It says a lot about his dedication and commitment to the team and the rest of his teammates and highlights the great bond that is in the group.”.
Gilmore posted ten points, all from placed balls in the 1-25 to 2-10 win over the locals on Dr Hyde Park.
The win was Donegal's fourth of the championship and was enough to see Donegal through to another Nickey Rackard championship final with a game still to play.
“I thought we were very good on the day. Declan Coulter, Sean McVeigh and Conor Gartland all picked up knocks in the last week and we did not risk them.
“But Sean Ward and Peter Kelly came in for them and by god those boys turned up today and put in big performances.
“We scored 1-25 which was a good score though we left a few goals behind us in the first half and that was the only thing we chatted about at half-time. We have to be more clinical.
“Over the 70 minutes, we were fairly comfortable and the better team. It was a satisfactory outing and we got Danny Cullen back for a full game and Daire Ó Maoileidigh came on in the second half after missing a number of games.
“We also got Ronan McLaughlin for the last few minutes for his first outing of the season. We have four boys still to come back and it is going to be a bit of a headache to pick the team.
“It is going to be a headache to even pick the 26. It is all very promising for the future.”
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