Donegal captain Michael Murphy led the tributes to retired team-mate and friend Neil Gallagher yesterday evening.
A persistent back injury has forced the big midfielder to call time on his inter-county career, having made 140 appearances for Donegal since making his debut in December 2003.
Gallagher is a double All-Star who won an All-Ireland and three Ulster SFC titles, while he captained Donegal to the Division 1 League crown in 2007.
Rory Gallagher confirmed at a press conference yesterday that the Glenswilly man retired having suffered a reocurrence of the injury at training last week – and Twitter went into mourning.
Some man for one man @neilgerardgalla pic.twitter.com/ccUzvKXo3l
— Michael Murphy (@murphm95) February 20, 2017
Another legend has retired . ! All the best big neil. !
— Eamon Doherty (@eamondoc75) February 20, 2017
The only man who could run the length of Croke Park in 4 steps. Stop the world and let me off… Maith thú Big Neil. pic.twitter.com/OXjYkD9goJ
— Niall McCauley (@Nially1988) February 20, 2017
Big Neil's performance v Cork in 12 was my highlite of following DGL in Jim's era. Some operator who deserves every bit of credit he gets
— Jimmy O Connell (@JimiOCon) February 20, 2017
Neil Gallagher the latest Donegal GAA player to retire, a huge loss to our county team. What a pity to see good players forced out by injury
— Donna Martin (@DonnaMartin03) February 20, 2017
Neil Gallagher: Donegal's totemic marauder-in-chief. Now in inter-county retirement, soon to blitz a golf course near you. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) February 20, 2017
Neil Gallagher retired now as well. Not a shock with the injury but still a massive loss. Horse of a man!!
— John Pidgeon (@jonnypmayo) February 20, 2017
Massive loss for the Donegal team. No better man to play in Croke Park. One of the greats. Happy retirement Big Neil Gallagher!
— ciarán (@Call_Me_Ciaran) February 20, 2017
Tags:@officialdonegal massive loss for donegal. Could see last year how much his presence was missed… not many replacements around at the min !
— andy connor (@aindrias1978) February 20, 2017
