RORY GALLAGHER says that Tyrone will provide Donegal with the ‘ultimate test’ of their credentials in Sunday’s Ulster final.
Donegal are in their sixth final in a row, but Tyrone are appearing in their first since 2010, a period that constitutes a famine for Mickey Harte’s men.
[adrotate group=”79″]In many ways, their roles have reversed utterly from the day they met in a semi-final in 2011.
Tyrone were gunning for their third Ulster title in a row, with Donegal in search of a first since 1992.
[adrotate group=”53″]It took late goals by Dermot Molloy and Colm McFadden to fire Donegal through, 2-6 to 0-9.
A year later, also in a semi-final, Paul Durcan denied Martin Penrose with a last-gasp save that would prove a defining moment in a summer that saw Donegal win Ulster and All-Ireland crowns.
Despite a magnificent run that has seen them win 18 of their last 21 games in the province, Donegal’s thirst for Ulster hasn’t waned an iota.
[adrotate group=”43″]“It’s massive,” Gallagher said on Monday at a press conference in the County House in Lifford.
“I think Donegal supporters have bought into the Ulster Championship massively over the last number of years.
“It’s a massive achievement for this group of players. For the lads that have been there for all six and the boys that have come in, it’s a phenomenal record.
[adrotate group=”70″]“To have been on that run in Ulster and only lost two games, is incredible. But that’s all parked now and our focus is on Sunday.
“They are a credit to themselves for the effort and dedication they’ve put in. But there is also serious quality there too.
“It’s not too long ago when we couldn’t win one. It was 19 years. The Ulster title is very special to us. To be in the final is a privileged position. To win it is even better.
“I think most people would agree this is the two best teams in the province. It’s set to be a titanic tussle. It’s an occasion we’ve got used to but never taken for granted. It’s a very special thing to be Ulster champions.”
[adrotate group=”37″]Gallagher fell just short of delivering the Anglo Celt last year in his first year as Tir Chonaill boss and the year ended with a disappointing loss to Mayo in an All-Ireland quarter-final.
Gallagher feels his team is ‘attacking that wee bit better’ this time and the 0-17 scored against Monaghan in their semi-final replay was an example of that.
Gallagher knows Tyrone well, not surprising given that his mother, Deirdre (Kavanagh) hails from Ballygawley.
Gallagher has been impressed by Mickey Harte’s team, who went to and All-Ireland semi-final last year having been dumped out of Ulster by Donegal in the opening round.
[adrotate group=”76″]Gallagher said: “Last year, even though they were relegated from Division 1 they probably faired better against Dublin than anyone in the League.
“They’ve just been building and building and kept that core group of players. They have a very similar style of play to ourselves. They like to get bodies behind the ball and break at pace. It’s going to be a huge challenge.
“They’ve got good inside men. Depending on where Sean Cavanagh plays. But obviously, Ronan O’Neill, Conor McAliskey and Darren McCurry, if he plays, is dangerous. They have threats all over the field.
“Tyrone sides have always been a team that was capable of getting scores from anywhere. That’s very much the case with this team.”
[adrotate group=”38″]Gallagher has been fielding questions about Donegal’s age and hunger for weeks.
The squad has been written off several times, but Gallagher hinted at a desire within their ranks to hit back where it counts in Sunday’s final.
He said: “Everyone takes motivation personally. As individuals and as a team you want to prove people wrong. You want to prove you have the quality. It’s up to us now on Sunday to go out and prove we’re the best team in Ulster.”
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