Dessie Gallagher savours 'unbelievable' feeling as Dungloe win IFC

Dungloe’s players made a promise last winter.

On Saturday, they lived up to their word when beating Naomh Columba in the Intermediate Championship final.

A first Intermediate crown in 36 years sees Dungloe return to the senior ranks - just two years after they suffered relegation.

Dessie Gallagher succeeded Robert Weherly at the controls in January, 2021. Dungloe saw the Cathal McLaughlin Cup slip away last year as Cloughaneely toppled them in a replay after the Rosses man fell apart in the first game.

Darren Curran goal exorcises Dungloe's ghosts to beat Naomh Columba in IFC final

After losing in the 2021 final following a replay, Dungloe defeated Naomh Columba to win the Intermediate Football Championship title and seal a return to the senior championship

The hurt and the hunger combined to tee up Saturday’s 1-8 to 0-4 win.

“It’s unbelievable,” Gallagher said.

“When we took over, our aim was to get back into the senior championship again. These young lads really bought into what we were doing.

“It’s just a joy to be out there leading them. They do most of the work. We just set it up for them. Hopefully these boys can push on now.”

Dungloe were 0-4 to 0-1 up at half-time and Darren Curran scored the game’s only goal in the closing stages.

Only then could Dungloe finally begin to set the bonfires.

Gallagher said: “There was only the kick of a ball in it before we got the goal. Glen’s heads went down and you could physically see that on the field. It came at the right time for us.

“We had a bit of defending to do in the second half. We knew that Glen would come at us, but we got the goal and pushed on. We’re delighted.”

Dungloe were in control from start to finish with Curran’s goal breaking whatever resistance Naomh Columba had left.

The painful feeling of last year haunted Dungloe in the intervening period.

Gallagher said: “After last year, they knuckled down and put in a big winter. They just said they weren’t going to lose another one. They’ve got there and they were just brilliant in that final.

“The way we played was more controlled. Last year, we rushed everything. We’re more mature now.

“You must remember, these are only young lads and they needed that year. They do a lot of strength and conditioning themselves. They don’t leave the pitch or the gym and that shows.”

Onwards and upwards they go. Ulster now and, in 2023, back among the elite.