Fermanagh's Rory Gallagher has officially become a Cavan player. Gallagher has been training under Donal Keoghan's new regime for two months now but the transfer from his native county was only rubberstamped by Croke Park officials on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old will not start the McKenna Cup match against Queen's University at Breffni Park on Saturday night but is expected to feature. Cavan selector and trainer Paul Grimley served as Joe Kernan's chief lieutenant for five years in Armagh so he is well versed in assessing a quality forward.
Asked if any more outsiders were coming in, he said: "It was a one-off. There was a bit of interest from elsewhere but it never materialised. We didn't go looking for anyone. Rory came to us, which was a huge benefit to our squad as he is a quality player. I remember when he posted that great score of 3-9 (an Ulster record) against Monaghan in the Ulster championship in 2002. We have added him to the very exciting group of players that are fighting for the six forward positions."
Gallagher has been playing in Dublin for a number of years with the St Brigid's club and quit intercounty football after 2003, thus missing Fermanagh's historic run to the 2004 All-Ireland semi-final including a quarter-final victory over Armagh. He did return the following season but failed to cement a regular starting place in Charlie Mulgrew's team.
There had been rumours of Gallagher and his cousin, Raymond, who also plays for St Brigid's, switching allegiance to Dublin a few years back but then Dublin manager Tommy Lyons dismissed the notion.
Meanwhile, All-Ireland winning managers Mickey Harte from Tyrone and Jack O'Connor from Kerry have been appointed to take charge of the Vodafone All Stars football selections that play an exhibition game in Dubai on January 27th. Harte will take charge of the 2005 All Stars while O'Connor is responsible for the 2006 side that will contain at least four of his former Kerry players - Michael McCarthy, Seamus Moynihan, Aidan O'Mahony and Paul Galvin.
The Tyrone contingent includes Peter Canavan, selected at centre forward on the 2005 All Stars, Ryan McMenamin, Conor Gormley, Seán Cavanagh, Brian Dooher, Owen Mulligan and Stephen O'Neill.
Because of injuries and other commitments a small number of players will be unavailable. A list of replacements is forthcoming.
The football All Stars are making their second visit to Dubai, the destination that welcomed the tour in 2001. They are being hosted by the Dubai Celts GAA Club.
