Neil Gallagher has become the latest Donegal player to announce his retirement from inter-county football.
By Chris McNulty, Donegal Sport Hub
The Glenswilly man has been plagued by a back injury over the last year and, after suffering another set back last week, has decided to call time on his Donegal career.
Gallagher had hoped to make a comeback but a persistent back injury came home to roost at training last Tuesday night when the big midfielder broke down again.
“It’s a sad day for us all,” the Donegal manager, Rory Gallagher confirmed at a press conference in Ballybofey this evening.
“He has a very special place with Donegal supporters.
“He wanted to give it a go. He came back and played a bit for the club. He got the back re-scanned and tried to build it up.
“He is very disappointed and we’re very disappointed. I had great belief in him.
“He loves the game. He has been a wonderful team-mate for the boys to have, on and off the pitch.”
Gallagher became a cult hero in Donegal in recent years.
He first appeared on the radar of county managers when Brian McEniff gave him a call one night in 2003.
He made his Donegal senior debut against Queen’s in the McKenna Cup that December and his Championship bow arrived against Armagh in 2005.
He’d been county captain in 2007 when he led Donegal to the Division 1 League title.
In 2011, Gallagher was a peripheral figure under Jim McGuinness and many had his inter-county future written off, but he hit back to win two All-Stars and was an integral member of the squad.
Gallagher won his place back and never looked back. An All-Star award came at the end of 2014, but didn’t make up for losing the All-Ireland final, but Gallagher never really contemplated walking off into the sunset.
His 2016 was halted when he was forced off against Roscommon in a League game last March, although he returned to action, patched-up to help inspire Glenswilly to the Donegal SFC title.
Tags:
