RORY GALLAGHER CAN still remember the haunting chants of the Monaghan supporter ringing in his ears following last year’s Ulster final defeat.
Donegal kicked the game away and Monaghan climbed the Gerry Arthurs Stand to collect the Anglo Celt. As Conor McManus led his men up the steps, the Farney cry of ‘We want Sam’ rang around St Tiernach’s Park.
[adrotate group=”79″]It stung Gallagher.
In his first summer as the Donegal manager, he’d led them back to the final, but they came up short on the day.
[adrotate group=”43″]As he prepares for Sunday’s duel with Tyrone, Gallagher is clearly minded to correct the wrongs of 12 months ago.
“Last year was devastating,” he told Donegal Sport Hub.
“We were extremely hurt not to get over the line. We ran out of steam and just weren’t good enough on the day.
“That was very disappointing for us as a group. We really appreciate being there and we won’t want to leave it behind us this year. We want to deliver a performance that will make sure we win.”
[adrotate group=”53″]This year started well for Donegal with League wins over Down, Cork and Mayo. They didn’t win another League game, but still reached the semi-finals, losing at Croke Park to Dublin having lost four-on-the-spin beforehand.
Gallagher said: “All the time, our focus has been about the Ulster Championship. There were a few bumps along the way, but we got here.
“We rode out the storm that the League causes in a county like Donegal. We wanted to win every game, but it’s not a win-at-all-costs attitude.
[adrotate group=”70″]“At the start of the year, we wanted to be here enjoying this week, looking forward to the Ulster final. There’s been a lot of hard work done to get here.”
Gallagher knows Tyrone well. He’s faced them and beaten them four times since he got involved with Donegal in 2011, while his mother, Deirdre Kavanagh, is a native of Ballygawley.
He said: “I do believe that it’s the two best teams. Tyrone have been really strong, but we feel we’re in a good place.
“All year, we felt that if we got to the final it would be Tyrone. It’s about who brings their A game on Sunday.
[adrotate group=”76″]“Tyrone are an excellent team. They have loads of new blood and they have quality players. They have a core group of players now who have been knocking around a long time and who will want to put their own stamp on the team.”
While Neil Gallagher will be absent because of a shoulder injury, Neil McGee’s return from a two-game suspension hands Donegal a considerable boost.
The manager added: “It’s massive. It’s absolutely brilliant for us and for the county. Neil prides himself in being there and available for us. He had a tough period and it was a big blow. It’s only right to have him there for the final.”
[adrotate group=”38″]Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/donegal-manager-rory-gallagher-pre-ulster-final
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