RORY GALLAGHER, the Donegal manager, was left ‘disappointed’ as his side let a chance slip against Kerry this afternoon in Tralee.
A first-half that wouldn’t have been out of place in a UFC octagon became a football match in the second half, but it was Kerry who were five ahead – 1-13 to 1-8 – when the participants finally came up for air.
Kerry led 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time following a bruising and bloody first half.
Picture caption: Donegal manager Rory Gallagher, right, stands for the national anthem with his team, including from left, Michael Murphy, Odhrán McNiallais, Ryan McHugh, and Eoghan Ban Gallagher. Picture by Brendan Moran / Sportsfile
Donegal’s Leo McLoone followed Kerry’s Alan Fitzgerald in making the long walk following a red card and it is sure that the events of the opening 35 minutes will be the subject of considerable column inches and airtime in the coming days.
But Gallagher was entitled to feel that his side might have made a better fist of things after the break.
They did that initially when they levelled the scales for the first time five minutes into the second half and again when Michael Murphy brilliantly plucked a ball from the sky for a Donegal goal.
That goal, in the 56th minute ought to have been a spur for Donegal, who played with the wind, but it was Kerry who held the heads.
“We’re disappointed that we lost,” said Gallagher.
“We came down here and we were really looking forward to the game. Having got ourselves into a strong position, at seven-each and playing with a strong breeze, Kerry showed more hunger and we switched off for their goal.
“Probably our discipline then, they had a couple of frees moved in.”
After Donegal got back onto an even keel through Patrick McBrearty in the 40th minute, Kerry struck gold when Peter Crowley netted.
Gallagher said: “I’m really disappointed in that. We had gained a platform at midfield and got level. We were in the ascendancy.
“ Fair enough, switching off for the goal, but we still didn’t regain the grip. Kerry played a lot of smart football and showed more than us to win it.
“We were in a good position and I’d like to think that we could have pushed on. I’m disappointed that we went down to 14 men each, but I’m more disappointed in our own performance, in more ways than one.”
The game was a real baptism of fire for Killybegs’ Eoghan Ban Gallagher who was handed his first League start in what was a vicious cauldron.
His manager said: “I thought that Eoghan acquitted himself well. It’s a big challenge to go in there at 19 years of age. That game will bring on the likes of Eoin McHugh as well.”
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