Gilmore happy to see Donegal's positive progress

Donegal’s sharpshooter, Gerry Gilmore was back to his brilliant best-shooting as he slotted over a total of 0-8 points, with three from play and five from frees in a great Donegal victory over Mayo in O’Donnell Park on Saturday. 

Speaking after his side’s 0-21 to 0-13 win which could be regarded as a huge psychological victory as these sides could yet meet in the Nickey Rackard Cup final in June, Gilmore said he was just glad to be “part of a good victory”. 

The Strabane native has had to put his nuptials with Aoife Campbell from Crossroads back until after the hurling season is over and is hoping that everything is going to plan. 

On Saturday’s comprehensive win he said; “The first half was a real battle, point for point, and it was a really tight game. Both teams were very evenly matched, and we had a few more wides than they had, and we spoke about that at half-time and how to fix that,” he said. 

“The defence was well on top and we focused on our conversion rate and thankfully that did come through in the second half. 

“I hit 0-10 with five from play and five from frees and Mickey McCann gave me a roving role. Thankfully the breaks went my way, they didn’t against Armagh, but you just keep making those runs.” 

This was a big win considering Mayo played in the Christy Ring Cup last year. 

But Gilmore said it was good to put down a marker for a probable meeting later on in the year. 

“Both teams went at it, but we had a period of 15 minutes in the second half when we scored five points in a row, and they did not reply and that was the real difference. 

“And then we closed up shop in defence and conceded no goals which was really positive. 

“Mayo are a good side, and over the years it has always been all on the day between us and them. Anything can happen on a given day and they will see us as a target and hopefully we will meet them in the Nickey Rackard Cup final all going well.” 

Gilmore said Donegal now need to keep their focus as they entertain Monaghan in Letterkenny next Saturday. 

They then have a week off and have a tricky away tie to Roscommon. 

But, on the plus side Donegal veteran Declan Coulter started for the first time and the talismanic Danny Cullen has been named in the subs for too the first time this year. 

Last year’s captain Ronan McDermott is also due back in the next few weeks to boost their challenge for a national crown. 

“Declan started for the first time this year and he made his presence felt spraying around some great passes while Danny and Ronan are also on the way back. 

“That is good news for us as well.”