Dungloe supporters have waited a lifetime for this - Dessie Gallagher 

Dessie Gallagher says it’s a relief to get a monkey off the back as Dungloe reached a SFC final for the first time in 60 years. 

Their narrow 0-9 to 0-8 win over St Michael’s means the Rosses Park men will walk behind the band in MacCumhaill Park for the first time since 1964 when they lock horns with St Eunan’s in a fortnights’ time. 

Speaking shortly after the final whistle in Ballybofey on Sunday, Gallagher was still being swamped by supporters. But he understands as well as anyone just what this means. 

“It’s just fantastic. It’s 60 years since our last final. My father-in-law passed away this year and he was on that last Dungloe side to get there. It’s a great day for the Dungloe club. 

“There are a lot of supporters and players that wanted to get to this point but just didn’t see it. We were lucky enough two years ago with back-to-back Intermediate finals. 

“But no one really expected this - for us to be pushing for a county title. The very first meeting we had this year, we set our stall out and people probably thought we were mad in the head. 

“But you have to have goals and aspirations. Our town is lucky right now, the ladies won again today so it’s all really positive. And this has been another big boost”. 

Dungloe left the SFC radar back in 2020 but an IFC title win in 2022 seen them bounce back in some style. Now, they’re just 60 minutes away from a first Dr Maguire win since 1958.

“There was an older team when we went down,” explained Gallagher. “We were lucky we got some great youth through. It was the Covid year we dropped out of senior. 

“With there being no football it sort of refocused lads and they have really pushed on. The first aim was to get back to senior level and now we’re competing”.

Gallagher was in MacCumhaill Park on Saturday night as St Eunan’s just about got past Gaoth Dobhair. And he’s under no illusions as his team go into that game as huge underdogs. 

“I had a look and listen, we all know how good St Eunan’s are. We’ll prepare as best we can now over the next two weeks. 

“The place will be buzzing. We’re in a final now and we have to make sure we’re ready for that massive challenge”.