Donegal and New York GAA pay respects following the passing of Donal Gallagher

There has been widespread sadness in New York and his native Killybegs and in many parts of Donegal at the sad passing of Donal Gallagher - one of Donegal GAA’s greatest legends in New York. 

He was 78 and had been a member of the Donegal New York GAA club for over 40 years and has served as coach and manager over many years. 

During that time, he helped many players from Donegal and indeed all over Ireland in getting jobs and work and was always available to offer wise counsel in times of need. A few years ago, Donal was honoured at a Gala Dinner that was attended by GAA stars from all over the country. Donal took Donegal New York to six county titles including a remarkable three-in-row from 2000-2002. 

Meanwhile, in a tribute on its Facebook page Donegal GFC New York said:  “It is with great sadness that we heard last night about the passing of our friend Donal Gallagher. Donal was Donegal through and through. Donal guided Donegal to several New York senior championships. 

“We had the privilege of honouring Donal at our Dinner dance a few years ago and it was testament to how high Donal’s players held him. We had a packed house at Dunwoodie that night. 

“The amount of players that made their way from Ireland and further afield was amazing. When Donal brought you to play for Donegal he made you feel at home. There will be many a story told over the next few days. He will be listening to them and breaking into that great smile. “May you Rest In Peace Donal. You have earned your rest. RIP.”

Donal was instrumental in bringing senior championships to Donegal New York in three different decades, the 1980s, 1990s and 2000’s and in organising the annual dance for the club. 

Donegal New York have won 11 New York titles - in the years 1973, 1976, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2015 and 2017  - second only to Kerry who have 28, and Donal played a key role in many of those victories from the mid 1980s to the early Noughties. 

He will never be forgotten in Donegal for the way he selflessly helped so many of his fellow county emigrants both men and women, and not all were GAA either, over many years. 

So, if ever the motto to “give and not to count the cost” was true it is certainly so in the case of the man who is affectionately known as “The Veteran.” 

Martin McHugh, Anthony Molloy, Declan Bonner, Niall McCready, Damian Diver, Charlie Mulgrew, Eunan MacIntyre, Barry Cunningham, John Cunningham, Martin Coll, Kevin Cassidy, Noel Hegarty, Paddy Hegarty, Eunan McIntyre, Lanty Molloy, Cathal Campbell, Stephen Cassidy and Leslie McGettigan are just some of the Donegal players who have come under Donal’s wing over a period of many years. 

But apart from managing Donegal players, Gallagher also managed the likes of Kerry greats like Pat Spillane, Jack O’Shea, Tim Kennelly (RIP), Larry Tompkins, Lar Molloy and Jim Gavin of Dublin. 

Tompkins actually stayed out in New York with Gallagher as did Offaly All-Ireland 1982 medallist Pauric Dunne and it was Gallagher, who was an accountant, and lived in the Catskills, who recognized Tompkins immense potential by reading the Irish papers about this young Kildare man. 

Another great GAA icon from Ardara and Donegal has fond memories of playing under Donal in New York and is the proud possessor of three New York county championships. Anthony Molloy is one of several of his clan who have made New York their home and he played along with his brothers Lanty, Connie and Frank. 

Donegal’s All-Ireland winning captain of 1992, Anthony Molloy won county titles in 1986, when Donegal New York had probably their greatest ever side, 1988 and 1992. He is one of several of his clan who have made New York their home and he played along with his brothers Lanty, Connie and Frank. 

Speaking in 2019, Molloy said: “Donal is a great Donegal man and brought so many great players out, not just from Donegal, but from all over the country. He was tactically well ahead of his time and was studying the opposition in great depth.  He also was a proponent of taking off a man and then putting him on again as Tyrone did with Peter Canavan in 2003 when he was not 100 percent fit. 

“I was lucky enough to win three county championships after going out there first in the early to mid 1980s. The team Donal had in 1986 was the best ever as we also had the likes of Pat Spillane, Tim Kennelly RIP, P J Buckley, Lanty Molloy, Padraig Dunne and the truly great Larry Tompkins. 

“Donegal lost a lot of people to New York In the 1980s, but they were all very well looked after by Donal. He also brought a lot of Cork lads as well. He was Mr Donegal in those years and was a great fellow as well. 

“Donal looked after so many people who had to leave Donegal in the early 1980s, not just in football but also in general. Donal got jobs for them. That Donegal New York team of 1986, apart from the Donegal 1992 side, would have been the best team I played on.”