Thomas Galligan

Thomas Galligan

Personal information
Irish name	Tomás Ó Gealagáin
Sport	Gaelic football
Position	Midfield
Born	(1996-09-15) 15 September 1996 (age 28)
Club(s)
Years	Club
	Lacken
Inter-county(ies)
Years	County
2017–2022	Cavan
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles	1
All Stars	1

Thomas Galligan (born 15 September 1996) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for the Cavan county team. He plays his club football with Lacken.

Playing career

College

Galligan went to school at St Patrick's College in Cavan. Galligan starred in the 2015 season as St Pat's reached their first MacRory Cup final since 1975. On 17 March 2015, Galligan started in midfield in the final against St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon. Galligan scored two points as Cavan were winners by 2–12 to 0–8.^[1] He also received the man of the match award.^[2] Galligan played in the Hogan Cup semi-final against PBS Chorca Dhuibhne, where St Pat's suffered a three-point loss.^[3][4]

Club

Galligan has played with Lacken from a young age. He has yet to win a championship medal at senior level.

Inter-county

Minor and under-21

Galligan represented Cavan at minor and under-21 level, but had little success at either grade.

Senior

Galligan joined the Cavan senior squad ahead of the 2017 season. On 25 June 2017 he made his championship debut as a substitute in a qualifier against Offaly.^[5]

On 18 May 2019, Galligan made his first championship start for Cavan at full forward in an Ulster championship win against Monaghan.^[6] On 23 June, Galligan came on as a substitute in the Ulster final loss to Donegal.^[7]

On 31 October 2020, Galligan came on as a half-time substitute against Monaghan in the Ulster preliminary round, with Cavan seven points behind. Cavan eventually won by one point after extra-time with Galligan being named man of the match.^[8][9] On 22 November, Galligan started in midfield in the Ulster final against Donegal. Galligan was named man of the match as Cavan won their first Ulster title since 1997.^[10] Galligan was sent off late in the game as Cavan lost the All-Ireland semi-final to Dublin.^[11] After the All-Ireland final, Galligan was named on The Sunday Game Team of the Year.^[12] Galligan was later selected at midfield on the All Star team.^[13][14]

On 2 April 2022, Galligan started the National League Division 4 final against Tipperary at Croke Park, with Cavan coming out winners on a 2–10 to 0–15 scoreline.^[15] On 5 June, Galligan top-scored with 1–4 from play in a Tailteann Cup quarter-final win against Fermanagh.^[16] Galligan started the final against Westmeath on 9 July. Galligan was sent off in the 58th minute for a challenge on Westmeath's Ronan O'Toole. Westmeath went on to win the match by 2–14 to 1–13.^[17]

In September 2022, it was reported that Galligan wouldn't feature for Cavan in 2023, as he was planning to go travelling to Australia.^[18]

Honours

Cavan

• Ulster Senior Football Championship: 2020
• National Football League Division 4: 2022

St. Patrick's College Cavan

• MacRory Cup: 2015

Individual

• All Star Award: 2020
• The Sunday Game Team of the Year: 2020
• Irish News Ulster Footballer of the Year: 2020
• Irish News Ulster All-Star: 2020
• GAA/GPA Footballer of the Month: November 2020^[19]

References

1. "St Patrick's, Cavan end 43-year wait to win MacRory Cup final". The Irish Times. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
2. Fitzpatrick, Paul (18 March 2015). "How does it feel to win a macrory cup absolutely class". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
3. O'Connor, Jason (31 March 2015). "Ó Muircheartaigh saves PCD". The Kerryman. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
4. "St Pat's Cavan suffer extra-time defeat in Hogan Cup semi-final". BBC Northern Ireland. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
5. Egan, Kevin (25 June 2017). "McKiernan goal helps keep Cavan's season alive". RTÉ. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
6. Fitzpatrick, Paul (18 May 2019). "Cavan into Ulster semis after first championship win over Monaghan in 18 years". The42.ie. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
7. Bogue, Declan (23 June 2019). "Clinical Donegal dispatch Cavan to go back-to-back in Ulster". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
8. Bogue, Declan (31 October 2020). "Galligan the hero as Cavan win it at the death against Monaghan". The42.ie. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
9. "Galligan the difference for Cavan". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
10. Mooney, Francis (22 November 2020). "Cavan shock Donegal to claim Ulster title". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
11. Neville, Conor (5 December 2020). "Dublin beat Cavan at a canter to reach another final". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
12. O'Toole, Fintan (20 December 2020). "Dublin lead the way with 9 players in Sunday Game Football Team of the Year". The42.ie. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
13. Keys, Colm (15 January 2021). "Seven All-Star nominations for Cavan as Dublin lead way with 13". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
14. "Cavan trio recognised as Dublin dominate All-Stars". RTÉ. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
15. Fitzpatrick, Paul (2 April 2022). "Cavan crowned Division 4 champions after edging out Tipperary". RTÉ. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
16. Fitzpatrick, Paul (5 June 2022). "Galligan and McKiernan turn on the style as Cavan make light work of Fermanagh". The42.ie. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
17. O'Brien, Kevin (9 July 2022). "Westmeath crowned inaugural Tailteann Cup champions after late flurry against Cavan". The42.ie. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
18. Roche, Frank (15 September 2022). "Cavan to lose Thomas Galligan for next season who is heading to Australia". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
19. "Galligan picks up player of the month award". The Anglo-Celt. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.