Oisín Gallen

Oisín Gallen
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Forward
Born 1999 or 2000 (age 24–25)[1]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Nickname Farrah[2]
Occupation Man
Club(s)
Years Club
201?–
 Seán Mac Cumhaills
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2019–
 Donegal
Ulster titles 2

Oisín Gallen (born 1999/2000) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Seán Mac Cumhaills and the Donegal county team. He plays as a forward.[3]

Playing career

Club

2018 was when Gallen first played for his club in the senior championship.[4]

In the 2023 Donegal Senior Football Championship quarter-final, his club had a surprise 1–17 to 1–14 victory against Glenswilly at O'Donnell Park, a game in which Gallen scored 1–9 of his club's total, and qualified for the competition's semi-final.[5][6][7] Gallen was also the competition's top scorer, with 1–56.[8] On 13 December 2023, Gallen was named as the recipient of the annual Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh.[9][10][11]

Inter-county

Gallen made his inter-county debut in the 2019 Dr McKenna Cup.[2] Not part of the Donegal panel at the start of the 2019 season, he was called up over the course of the McKenna Cup as Donegal were short on numbers.[12] He made his league debut in the third fixture of the 2019 competition against Tipperary, starting and scoring three points (including one free).[13] He again started the fourth fixture and scored a point against Fermanagh.[14] He started the fifth fixture against Armagh.[15] He started and scored another point in the sixth fixture against Cork.[16] He started the seventh fixture against Kildare, scoring four points.[17] Donegal qualified for the National Football League Division 2 final and Gallen started the game and scored four points as Donegal defeated Meath to win the title.[18]

Gallen made his championship debut against Tyrone in the 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship. He made another substitute appearance against Cavan in the final and scored a point.[19][20] He later picked up an Ulster medal, his first at any level of play.[21]

In October 2019 (during the Gaelic football off-season), Gallen attended an AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne, Australia. He later explained: "To get away for two weeks to Australia to try out in a professional sport was something I couldn't turn down. It was curiosity more than anything. You want to see what the level there is like and you want to see is there anything you can pick up or learn… I was up against the top young athletes in Australia and there hopefully are things there, standards I can take back home and apply to Gaelic football".[22]

Gallen had surgery on his shoulder in early December 2019, causing him to miss the early part of the 2020 season.[22] He did not feature in any of the first five fixtures in the 2020 National Football League.[23] They were played before the competition was halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

When the 2020 National League resumed in October, Gallen started and played 45 minutes of the league game against Tyrone, before being substituted for Andrew McClean.[25] Gallen then played 63 minutes of the game away to Kerry, before being substituted for Conor O'Donnell, on what was the Carndonagh footballer's debut.[26][27][28] Gallen then made a substitute appearance against Tyrone in the 2020 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final, scoring one point.[29] He made another substitute appearance against Armagh in the semi-final, again scoring a point.[30] However, Gallen sustained an injury during training ahead of the final and could not play.[31]

Gallen made a substitute appearance in Donegal's opening fixture of the 2021 National Football League, against Tyrone.[32] He started the next game, against Monaghan, scoring three points.[33] Gallen did not feature in the third game against Armagh, though he started the last game against Dublin.[34][35] He made a substitute appearance against Derry in the 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final.[36] He was named on the bench against Tyrone in the semi-final, but not play in the game.[1][37]

Gallen appeared as a substitute in the 2022 National Football League fixture against Tyrone but then sustained an injury, missing the 2022 Ulster Senior Football Championship, including the final.[38][39]

With his playing time often limited by injury in the early years of his career, Gallen started a senior inter-county championship game for the first time against Clare in the 2023 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.[2] His nine-point tally against Derry's 2022 All Star recipient Chrissy McKaigue in Donegal's next game brought Gallen to national attention.[2] He then scored five points against Monaghan and four points against Tyrone.[2]

Gallen won an All Star at the end of the 2024 season.[40] He was nominated for one in 2023.[41][42]

Personal life

Gallen is from Ballybofey.[4]

Honours

Donegal
Individual

References

  1. ^ a b McNulty, Chris (25 July 2021). "Oisin Gallen's return inspires MacCumhaills to derby win in Convoy". Retrieved 25 July 2021. Gallen, an unused substitute last Sunday as Donegal's Ulster Championship hopes fell asunder against Tyrone, started like a man on a mission. The 21-year-old landed a pair of early frees…
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Gallen hopes injury problems are behind him". Donegal News. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023. The man known as Farrah hit 0–9 that day against 2022 All-Star recipient Chrissy McKaigue…
  3. ^ McLaughlin, Gerry (14 June 2023). "Oisin Gallen is Donegal's latest marquee forward: Damian Diver". The Irish News. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Oisín Gallen wins Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh". Ocean FM. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Gallen's heroics inspire Sean MacCumhaills towards last four of Donegal SFC". Hogan Stand. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Last year's finalists meet again in SFC semi-final draw". Donegal News. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Naomh Conaill and St Eunan's to meet in Donegal SFC semi-finals". Hogan Stand. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Gallen receives Donegal Footballer of the Year award". Hogan Stand. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh le bronnadh ar Oisín Gallen". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Oisín Gallen to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh". Donegal News. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Oisín Gallen to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2023". 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  12. ^ Ferry, Ryan (9 August 2019). "A–Z of Donegal's 2019 season". Donegal News. pp. 68–9.
  13. ^ Fallon, John (10 February 2019). "Casey strikes late goal as Tipp come back to shock Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  14. ^ Campbell, Peter (24 February 2019). "Fermanagh rally against 13-man Donegal to stay unbeaten in Division 2". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  15. ^ Foley, Alan (2 March 2019). "Super sub Murphy makes decisive impact in narrow win for Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  16. ^ Hurley, Denis (16 March 2019). "Cork on brink of drop to Division 3 as Donegal power home". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  17. ^ Branigan, Peter (24 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  18. ^ a b O'Brien, Kevin (30 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass helps Donegal to Division 2 glory after comeback win over Meath". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  19. ^ Mooney, Francis (8 June 2019). "Donegal power past Tyrone to make Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  20. ^ a b Sweeney, Peter (23 June 2019). "Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  21. ^ "McHugh chasing elusive first medal". Donegal News. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019. Jason McGee… has an Ulster Minor Championship medal, so that leaves [Eoin] McHugh and newbies Oisin Gallen and Aaron Doherty as the only members of the squad who haven't claimed provincial honours with the county.
  22. ^ a b Craig, Frank (24 January 2020). "Gallen itching to get back". Donegal News. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  23. ^ "FL1: Durcan delivers late as Mayo hold Donegal". Hogan Stand. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.Keane, Paul (2 February 2020). "Classy Donegal put Meath to the sword at Navan". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2020.McNulty, Chris (9 February 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Galway secure valuable victory". Retrieved 9 February 2020.Keane, Paul (22 February 2020). "Mannion goal crucial as Dubs reel in Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2020.Foley, Alan (1 March 2020). "McFadden and Ward hit the net as Donegal claim easy victory over Monaghan: A ten-point success for the home side in Ballyshannon today". The42.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  24. ^ "GAA, FAI & IRFU suspend all games, Euro 2020 under review". RTÉ Sport. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  25. ^ McNulty, Chris (18 October 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Donegal defeat Tyrone". Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  26. ^ Brennan, Paul (24 October 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Kerry crowned League champions". Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  27. ^ Bonner, Declan (29 October 2020). "Always an edge when Donegal face Tyrone". Donegal News. p. 63. Young Conor O'Donnell made his debut [in the NFL away fixture to Kerry] and wasn't daunted by it.
  28. ^ "Understrength Donegal well beaten by Kerry". Donegal News. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. One positive was a senior debut for promising Carndonagh youngster Conor O'Donnell.
  29. ^ Keys, Colm (1 November 2020). "Donegal in pole-position for Ulster three-in-a-row after dumping Tyrone out of Championship". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  30. ^ Bogue, Declan (14 November 2020). "Donegal ease past Armagh to reach yet another Ulster final: Defending Ulster champions were not tested by Armagh and now look the likeliest to challenge Dublin for Sam". The42.ie. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  31. ^ Bonner, Declan (26 November 2020). "Painful defeat in Ulster final". Donegal News. p. 63. Oisin Gallen and Ciaran Thompson picked up injuries at training last Tuesday night. Oisin wasn't able to play, while Ciaran was only able to come on as a sub…
  32. ^ Bogue, Declan (15 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Donegal edge Tyrone". Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  33. ^ McNulty, Chris (22 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Spoils shared in Ballybofey". Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  34. ^ Bogue, Declan (29 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Donegal finish strongly to earn important point". Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  35. ^ Campbell, Peter (14 June 2021). "Dublin share title with Kerry after defeating Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  36. ^ Foley, Alan (11 July 2021). "McBrearty kicks late winner as Donegal squeeze past Derry". The42.ie. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  37. ^ Bogue, Declan (28 July 2021). "Murphy sent off as Tyrone edge out 14-man Donegal to book Ulster final spot". The42.ie. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  38. ^ "Donegal's Gallen ruled out of Ulster SFC final". Hogan Stand. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  39. ^ "Ulster Football Final: Injured Donegal forward Oisin Gallen ruled out of Derry decider". BBC Sport. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022. Gallen (left) has not featured for Donegal since his substitute appearance in the Division One win over Tyrone in February
  40. ^ "Conroy and O'Donnell scoop Player of the Year awards". RTÉ News. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  41. ^ "All-Star nominations for Gallen and McCole". Donegal News. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  42. ^ "No awards but Gallen and McCole look sharp at the RDS". Donegal News. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.