Gildea vital cog for Donegal

IN the days after the Ulster final, he was at the centre of controversy in Donegal. John Gildea, the workhorse in the team's engine room, was absconding to the States for the remainder of the summer.

And he was taking Donegal’s best footballer, Adrian Sweeney, with him.

The rumour mill stop turning soon after the draw was made. Gildea agreed to stay and hammered home this point with another tireless, toiling display against Meath.