DONEGAL have been handed a huge boost ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Mayo with the news that Karl Lacey has been named in the starting XV.
Lacey (pictured above) had been struggling with a knee injury since last month’s Ulster final and missed last weekend’s 3-12 to 0-11 qualifier win over Galway.
However, the 2012 Footballer of the Year trained in Ballybofey on Wednesday night and has reclaimed the number 6 shirt.
Following an impressive appearance off the bench at half-time against Galway, Martin McElhinney makes his return to the starting team.
Eamonn Doherty and Hugh McFadden make way.
“We’re very much where we want to be and we’re delighted to be here,” Gallagher said.
“It’s where we’d expect to be. We’ve had a good, hard championship so far, but it’s only now that it really comes alive.
“If you look at the six teams who are left, they’re the best six teams in Ireland, with the exception of Cork perhaps.”
DONEGAL: Paul Durcan; Paddy McGrath, Neil McGee, Eamon McGee; Ryan McHugh, Karl Lacey, Frank McGlynn; Neil Gallagher, Martin McElhinney; Martin O’Reilly, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Mark McHugh; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden.
Subs: Mark Anthony McGinley, Anthony Thompson, Eamonn Doherty, Christy Toye, Declan Walsh, Hugh McFadden, David Walsh, Leo McLoone, Gary McFadden, Ciaran McGinley, Eoin ‘Ban’ Gallagher.