Gallagher hails Derry players after Ulster victory

Derry manager Rory Gallagher heaped praise on his Ulster championship winning team following their 1-16 to 1-14 extra-time victory over Donegal in Clones.

The Oak Leaf County eventually squeezed past the hard-working Donegal unit following extra time after the game finished level after 70 minutes.

But Gallagher's side came through the additional 20 minutes to secure the two-point victory and lift the Anglo Celt Cup for the first time in 24 years.

Derry reached the final of this year’s provincial competition after dispatching All-Ireland champions Tyrone and Monaghan en route to the decider.

And they took the game to Donegal in the early stages of the Clones contest, rewarded with an early goal from a well-worked move, which led to Niall Loughlin scoring from close range.

Gallagher’s side took a three-point lead into the break but had to deal with a barrage from their opponents in the early stages of the second half, which levelled matters on the scoreboard.

The sides could not be separated after the 70 minutes plus additional time and while the opening half of extra time maintained a close contest, Derry eventually pulled away with two late points to seal the victory.

"I’m just delighted," said Gallagher, speaking to RTE Sport after the game. "It was an amazingly tense game and an amazingly exciting game with lots of quality.

"It was just an unbelievable achievement for our boys to show that strength of character."

Chrissy McKaigue had the honour of accepting the trophy at the end of the game, and Gallagher singled out his captain as bringing a huge amount to both sides of the game, the playing and the management.

"He’s not just a captain, but an extended part of the management team and someone that I am very privileged to have