IF HE HAD a euro, Rory Gallagher said, for everytime he asked about Paul Durcan then he’d be doing well for himself.
So, as luck would have it, the Donegal manager was asked again whether his two-time All-Star goalkeeper Durcan, would be available for the start of the Ulster SFC against either Antrim or Fermanagh on June 12.
Durcan is living in Qatar and has helped Ballyboden St Enda’s the the AIB All-Ireland club championship whilst commuting.
“I wish I had a euro for everybody that asked me that in the last couple of months …,” Gallagher said at Croke Park in the wake of Donegal’s 1-20 to 0-13 loss against Dublin at Croke Park and made reference to Durcan’s employment.
“Paul is unsure of his situation as has been the case,” Gallagher added. “We wanted to get Ballyboden out of the way. “He obviously had to talk to his work out there, there’s a willingness to come back but we’ll have to wait and see is it possible.”
Donegal have used Danny Rodgers from Dungloe, Aodh Ruadh’s Peter Boyle and Mark Anthony McGinley of St Michael’s this term and as well as Durcan’s possible return, Michael Boyle, the Termon goalkeeper, is expected to return be in with a chance as he has almost recovered from a cruciate injury suffered last September.
In regards the kick-out strategy, Gallagher insists it’s not a problem.
“Our kickout strategies don’t change regardless of the goalkeeper,” he said. “The goalkeeper has got to adapt to the strategies we have.”
Marty O’Reilly was taken off yesterday after quarter of an hour and Gallagher said the MacCumhaill’s forward is expected to face a fortnight on the sidelines.
“He nipped his hamstring,” Gallagher added. “I’m not sure yet but he’s definitely going to be a couple of weeks out but he’s got a wee bit of time and in fairness he would be in good shape anyway.”
