Seosamh Mac Ceallabhui could finally draw breath – after ‘the least enjoyable game we had all year’ – and begin to realise that Red Hughs are on their way to an All-Ireland semi-final.
A gripping game was won and lost a couple of times and Red Hughs’ followers were given an anxious ride on the rollercoaster at O’Donnell Park.
Picture: Red Hughs manager Seosamh Mac Ceallabhui. Picture by Geraldine Diver
“He’s a warrior,” Mac Ceallabhui said of Gallagher.
“He has a great mental aptitude. He can deliver on the day and he shows up when you really need him.
“He selflessly put himself out there. I talked to him about it before the game and ‘no regrets’ was the last thing he said to me.”
Mac Ceallabhui’s men let a six-point lead slip in normal time, but managed to regain momentum thanks to extra-time goals from Stephen McMenamin and Gallagher.
Mac Ceallabhui said: “That was the least enjoyable game we have had all year – and they’ve all been close.
“I felt we were in control of them, but I didn’t feel we had any control today. We were making it up as we went along. We were plugging holes here and there. Every time we plugged one, another appeared.”
Listen to the full interview below …