Rory Gallagher calls it a day as Donegal manager

Rory Gallagher yesterday ended his time as Donegal senior football manager, only 10 months after receiving a new three-year term. The news was confirmed by the county board.

On the Killybegs-based Fermanagh native’s watch, the county retained their Division 1 status for three consecutive seasons, qualifying for semi-finals in 2015 and ’16 and finishing third this season. He also guided them to Ulster finals in 2015 and ’16, before their heavy defeat in this year’s semi-final against would-be winners Tyrone. In those years, they reached the provincial deciders against Monaghan and Tyrone, respectively. Donegal won their subsequent qualifiers only to lose in the quarter-finals, against Mayo two years ago and Dublin last year.

Donegal exited this year’s All-Ireland SFC in Sligo last Saturday week with a 15-point loss to Galway.