Patrick Francis Gallagher (2001)

This interview took place in 2001:

Name:	Patrick Francis Gallagher
Age:	45
Tell us a little about your family:	Father: Pat Mother: Winnie Brother: James Sister: Mary
Tell us a little about your employment history and professional life:	I am a vendor and van driver. Before that I ran The George for seven and a half years until 1988, and before that I drove all around the country making deliveries. I also did a bit of fishing.
What do you like about Currane?	The people and the scenery – which I think we sometimes take for granted. I particularly love the drive from Mulranny to Bollinglanna.
Is there anything you’d like to change about Currane?	I wouldn’t change a thing…well, except maybe the roads!
What is your favourite time of year?	I like the long warm days of the summer. I don’t like cold weather, but I’ve never been tempted to move somewhere warmer.
Have you traveled abroad?	Only to Northern Ireland! I slightly regret not having gone anywhere else – I’d like to visit Australia, Spain and the USA.
Do you have a favourite type of music?	I like most music, though I can’t play any instruments.
Favourite TV program:	Gillette Soccer Saturday
Favourite film:	Braveheart and Titanic
Favourite drink:	Coke
Favourite food:	Steak and chips
Favourite night out:	A good Table Quiz night – I’m too old for discos!
Are you involved in sport?	I’ve been the Manager of Achill Rovers Mens Junior team for seven years. I played for the team for many years and then, after a few years out, I was asked to become the Manager. I had to think about it for several seconds before saying yes!
What has been the highlight of your time as Manager?	Winning the Mayo League title in 1998. We missed it by 1 point in 1997 after leading for most of the season. We lost our second to last match, against Westport, and knew that we would miss out on the title. It was a huge disappointment for the whole team and it was very difficult to motivate ourselves for the following year. So to come back and win the title was a massive achievement.
What has been the worst moment in your time as Manager?	When we found out that we were not going to be allowed to defend our title in 1999. Mayo decided to set up a ‘super league’ and each team would have to have facilities like showers in the changing rooms, which we didn’t have. So we were demoted. It was heartbreaking.
What are your ambitions for the coming season?	We’ve made it back into the ‘super league’ – we’ll be playing at The Valley – and we’re looking for a top five position. We played Ballyglass, who were third last year, before Christmas and were drawing 4-4 after 90 minutes, so we are quite confident.
Favourite football team:	I’ve been a Middlesborough supporter for 30 years.
Which person/s would you most like to meet? (living or dead)?	Muhammed Ali and Alex Ferguson.
Is there anything about the structure of Mayo football that irritates you?	The Mayo League is reasonably well run, but midweek matches are a problem. Teams based in towns don’t have a problem as most of the players will be working in the town, but rural teams suffer because the players may be working several hours drive away. Often they can’t get back from work in time, or else they have to hurry too much which can be dangerous on our roads.
Hobbies:	I love playing pool. I represented Mayo and came within 3 points of playing for Ireland. I play with teams in Belmullet (McGuires) and Castlebar (Coach Bar).
Pet hate:	Bad driving, especially people who don’t dip their headlights.