ULSTER gaels are in mourning after the death of the man hailed by current GAA President Joe McDonagh as “a major influence on the development of Gaelic Games and the GAA in Ulster.”
Fr Dan Gallogly, who was President of the Ulster Council from 1989 to 1991, died in Dublin’s Mater Hospital yesterday morning following a short illness.
Though born in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, it was in neighbouring Cavan and Ulster that he became a cornerstone and central to all GAA activity and development for many years.
He taught in St Patrick’s College, Cavan from 1964 and was elected President of the College in 1981. In that period St Pat’s won the AllIreland Senior Colleges Football Championship in 1972.
Fr Dan served on the Management Committee of the GAA from 1989 to 1991, was chairman of St Tiernach’s Park Development Committee in Clones, and also represented Cavan on the Ulster Council for many years.
Within the Breffni county he published a report and recommendations on Cavan football and was the author of ‘The History of Cavan GAA’ and ‘Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins Club’.
In recent years and up until his death he was parish priest of Mullagh in Cavan.
Joe McDonagh commented, on hearing of Fr Gallogly’s death: “He had a major influence on the development of Gaelic Games and the GAA in Ulster and centrally over many years.
“He was selflessly dedicated to the games and the Association and his passing will be a source of sorrow everywhere, particularly in Cavan and Ulster.”
Minute’s silences will be observed before this weekend’s Ulster Council games as a mark of respect.
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McEniff refutes McHugh dream team rumours
BRIAN McEniff manager of the Donegal All-Ireland winning side of 1992 has firmly scotched rumours of a return to the county hot-seat as part of a dream team with Martin McHugh.
“That’s definitely out. I’ve enjoyed my time, but I have many other commitments” said McEniff.
“Martin is involved with the school of excellence and he is still playing great club football with Kilcar – I’m not sure about his plans.”
The Bundoran hotelier has also given current team boss Declan Bonner a vote of confidence.
“I would say that if Declan feels he wants to go on for another year then I will support him.
“But it’s entirely his decision. It’s a big commitment and he has family commitments. But if he wants to then he should carry on.
“He’s a bright young man and I am sure he will be thinking it over this week – but I would advise that he shouldn’t do anything too hasty.”
Speculation has raged over the Rosses man’s future as Donegal boss after Sunday’s replay defeat by Armagh – following his postmatch comments that he was considering his future.
McEniff knows more than most the vagaries of inter-county management.
He took Donegal to three Ulster titles – as player manager in ‘72 and ‘74 and manager in ‘83 – before having some uncertain years.
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Soccer: A trip into the unknown for Euro bound Newry
NEWRY Town head for Zagreb this afternoon with manager John McDonnell admitting that he knows very little about their Inter-Toto Cup opponents Hrvatski Dragovoljac.
“I know that they finished sixth in the league last year. I have checked it out and none of the big name Croatian players play for them, so I don’t think that they are going to set the world on fire.”
McDonnell did confess to asking a one of his former bosses for some help. “I gave Brian Kerr a call,” he said.
“He has travelled to see them play and has played against them in recent times. While he didn’t know anything about the club itself he was able to tell me about the shape the Croats normally play with and things like that.”
The squad travels to London today before flying onto Zagreb tomorrow morning.
