Donegal manager Rory Gallagher says that Neil Gallagher was ‘mad keen’ to make a return to the county’s colours – until his latest injury breakdown forced the midfielder’s retirement.
Last Tuesday night at training in Convoy, a problem with a disc in the Glenswilly man’s back flared up.
Gallagher missed most of the 2016 season and didn’t play for Donegal since injuring his back in a League game against Roscommon last March.
Picture caption: Neil Gallagher with Michael Murphy and Rory Gallagher after Donegal won the 2012 All-Ireland final.
Although he got patched up to help inspire Glenswilly to their third Donegal SFC title, but is persistent injuries have forced him to retire from inter-county football.
“The will was 100 per cent there from Big Neil,” Rory Gallagher said on this week’s Donegal Sports Talk podcast.
“He was mad keen to go, but he just wasn’t able to shake off the back injury. He was working away in the gym, but he wasn’t symptom free and he’s going to take a period of rest to see if he can get back to a level for club football.
“All he knows is Donegal for the last 13 years. The hunger was there, commitment wasn’t an issue and he was enjoying it. It’s just not to be.”
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsportstalk/donegal-sports-talk-podcast-episoide-4
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