Gallagher hits out at lack of fight

GUTTED Donegal boss Rory Gallagher admitted: “We were well and truly beaten”. The county’s Ulster U21 winners earned rave reviews in the spring after making the step-up to senior football look comfortable during their Division One campaign. But the manager always knew Championship would be a different ball game. “We are very disappointed to be beaten in the manner we were. Very few teams just arrive on the scene and get success instantly. We have to knuckle down now. It is unfortunate but that’s the way it is,” said Gallagher. “We are well aware that of the team that played in 2012 there were only three or four starting. “But it doesn’t disguise that today was a very disappointing display. We can’t hide away from that. “We showed a lack of cohesion, a lack of energy, a lack of discipline on the field and not following through on what we asked to do but we have to learn from it.” Gallagher accepted it was always going to be an uphill task for his young team to face down a more experienced Tyrone side that looked razor sharp. The Donegal boss also hinted his annoyance at a ‘lack of fight’ in the second half. “We were always a wee bit cautious because it is not easy. “There were seven players starting their first Championship game and we got to accrue experience. We didn’t want to accrue it like today. “We have to face it. That is the ultimate test of any team. We showed a lack of fight as well which was disappointing.”