Donegal draws battle lines by reclaiming Rory

Donegal has fired the opening shot before they even take the field against Cork in Croke Park in the All-Ireland football semi-final tomorrow.

GAA Fans in Bally-shannon have dressed a statue of Rory Gallagher, one of the world’s greatest blues guitarists, in a Donegal jersey.

Although Rory was born in Ballyshannon, he grew up in Cork, where a square in the centre of the city is named after him.

Ballyshannon mayor Phonsie Travers was taken by surprise when he walked past the statue and spotted the jersey.

“Fair play to whoever did it. It’s an innovative idea and there is no doubt that Cork people now know Rory is really a Donegal person.”

The statue was dressed under cover of darkness yesterday morning, but later Barry O’Neill, a sports broadcaster on RTÉ, claimed that the jersey was stitched on by him and his wife Lorraine.

Mr O’Neill is a Fine Gael county councillor and head of the annual tribute festival to the guitarist in Ballyshannon.

“Cork may claim Rory but we know he is really a Donegal man. He would have been proud to wear the Donegal jersey for Sunday’s game.”

Predicting the outcome of the game and quoting from a Gallagher song, he said: “On Monday morning, Cork will have the bullfrog blues.”

Rory left Ballyshannon aged 3 when his family moved to Derry and then Cork. He died from liver transplant complications in 1995 aged 47.

He was awarded a posthumous freedom of Ballyshannon by the town council four years ago.

* See WEEKEND SPORT for full match preview coverage