DONEGAL MANAGER Rory Gallagher has named four League debutants for Sunday’s Allianz League clash with Kerry at O’Donnell Park.
Former Leitrim senior Paul Brennan is named at wing-back for is first competitive appearance having impressed in recent challenge games, while Gallagher has also handed Under-21s Jason McGee, Michael Langan and Jamie Brennan their League bows.
“Those players have put themselves in a very good position, they played in the McKenna Cup and with ourselves in challenge games. They are in a great position,” Gallagher said during the week at a press conference.
Mark Anthony McGinley has retaiuned the goalkeeper’s jersey, while All-Star Ryan McHugh, Neil McGee, Paddy McGrath, Patrick McBrearty and captain Michael Murphy bring the experience.
Caolan Ward had only a fleeting League appearance last year, but the St Eunan’s man is in at number 6 for the game that will be played on his home patch this weekend.
The inclusion of ex-Leitrim player Brennan, who made a move to Bundoran in December 2014, will bring some much-needed experience. Gallagher said: “I’ve been very impressed with Paul. The first thing about him is that he’s mad keen to play at this level.
Hugh McFadden partners McGee at centrefield with Ciaran Thompson also listed.
Eoghan Ban Gallagher is named at corner-back. The manager was asked about this on Tuesday at his press briefing. The Killybegs man plays a naturally-attacking game, but with Kieran Gillespie and Eamonn Doherty among the absentees it was apparent that Gallagher was in the running for a corner-back berth.
His manager said: “He has played there. Defenders are defenders, they have got to mark a man, it is a learning process for him. He plays in the half-back line, he has played at times in the half-forward line. We have looked at a number of options and Eoin is one of them.
“His natural game is driving forward, he has worked really hard, he is a player that had injury troubles as a minor, but physically he is very strong and powerful, he is playing very well at the minute, not just in the McKenna Cup but also in the challenge games that we have played.”
