Eoghan Bán Gallagher of University of Ulster and Donegal in attendance at the launch of Electric Ireland’s Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and Higher Education Championships announcement at Clanna Gael GAA Club in Dublin.
By John Harrington
Donegal defender Eoghan Bán Gallagher is convinced that Dublin will only be beaten this year if their rivals really go for their jugular.
Instead of focusing too much mental and physical energy on trying to figure out a way to contain Jim Gavin’s team, Bán Gallagher says the key is to have the self-belief to go out all guns blazing in the hope of out-scoring them.
"Every team knows they have to attack a lot more to beat Dublin,” said Bán Gallagher. “I think a few people have come out and said you need at least 20 points to beat Dublin and that's probably not far off the mark.
“They're going to put up 18 or 19 points regardless so you've to score more than them to beat them."
“Dublin would be still the best. They're probably the best in every aspect of the game, between defending, attacking, kickouts - they are the benchmark. There's still a wee bit of a gap there between themselves and everybody else. Then you probably have a chasing pack of about eight teams who are close but not quite at their level.
"We like to think we're in that chasing pack. Hopefully this year we can develop it. There's more players coming in so hopefully it'll be another positive year."
Donegal's Eoghan Bán Gallagher in action against Dublin's Paul Mannion in last year's All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Final Phase 1 clash at Croke Park.
Mayo have come closer to beating Dublin in the Championship than any other team in the past four years because they had the self-confidence and ability to take them on man for man and try to beat them at their own game.
Donegal are a young, improving team with a lot of ability, but are Bán Gallagher and his team-mates truly convinced they are already at a stage in their development where they could head to head with Dublin in a winner takes all game and come out on top?
"Honestly, you would like to think that you can,” said Bán Gallagher. “Whether it be Dublin maybe coming down or us going up. Hopefully it's us going up and beating them when they're still at they're peak.
"But you have to go in with belief. Jim McGuinness said a few years ago that whatever game of football you're playing, you've the same chance as the other team of winning.
“We have to have the belief that no matter what team you're going out to play that you've a chance of beating them."
The Donegal management team, from left, manager Declan Bonner, assistant manager Paul McGonigle, coach Gary Boyle and selector Stephen Rochford before the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Round 1 match between Donegal and QUB at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, Donegal.
Former Mayo manager Stephen Rochford, who came agonisingly close to beating Dublin in the 2016 and 2017 All-Ireland Finals, is now a member of the Donegal management team.
Bán Gallagher hopes his experience of going toe to toe with Dublin and matching them blow for blow will prove to be a hugely valuable asset for Donegal in 2019.
“Listen, I've been very impressed,” said Bán Gallagher. “Coming from Connacht and Mayo and managing Corofin, they play a wee bit more of a so-called attacking style than Donegal.
“He brings a different aspect because in Donegal we normally only have coaches from Donegal and Ulster and that.
“So, with him coming from Connacht, Mayo, and Corofin he brings a different style and a different way of looking at football which can only benefit Donegal.
“He's coming with new ideas and I'm sure him and Declan (Bonner) and the rest of the backroom team are in harmony discussing the best way to go about playing.
“It's only positive for us because it's fresh ideas and Stephen Rochford was close to beating Dublin three times. So, yeah, it's positive for us.”
