WEAKER THAN BEFORE..
Bradley believes recent turmoil has taken toll on Ulster champs
DONEGAL coach Paddy Bradley says Rory Gallagher’s absence is “a bit of a weakness” for Derry ahead of Sunday’s meeting of the counties in Ballybofey.
Gallagher resigned earlier this month after serious allegations about him surfaced on social media from his estranged wife.
The controversy erupted on the week of the Ulster final but Derry still managed to retain their title with a penalty shootout win over Armagh.
They were pegged back for a draw once again last Saturday against Monaghan, who they had beaten comfortably in the Ulster semi-final, in their opening game in Group 4 of the All-ireland series.
Donegal started with a win over Clare in Ennis the previous weekend and now welcome their neighbours to Maccumhaill Park this weekend, with Bradley plotting the downfall of his native county alongside interim manager Aidan O’rourke, who stepped up after Paddy Carr’s resignation in March.
Ciaran Meenagh has done likewise in Derry following Gallagher’s departure and when asked whether his absence is harmful to Derry, Bradley replied: “I suppose it is a bit of a weakness.
“We are used to seeing him very vocal on the line, directing and instructing everything and they probably missed that at the weekend.
“Again, it was the first time they played without his presence, you could say in the Ulster final, even though he was not there, his presence was still there in the weeks leading up to the game because he had done all the preparation work so Saturday night was the first time they did not have his influence around the changing rooms.
“It will be interesting to see what happens with them over the next two/three games.”
Donegal will not be able to call on the services of key forward and captain Paddy
Mcbrearty this weekend, however, with the Kilcar man still in recovery from a serious hamstring injury sustained earlier this year.
“Paddy is coming on very well,” Bradley explained. “He has done a bit of training but he will not be available this week.
“Over the course of the next couple of weeks we can hopefully integrate him into some team training with a view hopefully to see him against Monaghan.
“With a hamstring injury, it is very delicate and obviously there was an operation which he had.”
With the win in Clare meaning that Donegal will almost certainly compete in the knockout stages, Mcbrearty’s chances of featuring again this year have shot up, even if he’s not ready for the Monaghan tie on the weekend of June 17/18.
The outlook is more pessimistic for Michael Langan, who also tore a hamstring from the bone.
Peadar Mogan is another long-term absentee though Stephen Mcmenamin will be available for the weekend, however.
“Michael won’t see much football this year,” Bradley (inset) admitted.
“It is a freak to get one of them in a year but to get two it is just bad luck.”