City keeper played against Super Mario

Derry City goalkeeper, Ciaran Gallagher, signs a one year contract with the Brandywell club. Included is Derry City manager, Peter Hutton.

The Donegal man played for the Republic of Ireland against Götze just some six years ago.

Gallagher, who along with ex-Derry striker Michael Rafter were in the side which narrowly lost 1-0 at O’Shea Park to the Germans in 2008, conceded that Joachim Löw’s match winning substitute didn’t really stand out.

“Truthfully there was about four or five German players who were at the same level as him, there was no one that stood out that night, because they were all quality, but to be fair he was one of four or five players that night who were super,” he stated.

“To be honest it was probably about two years ago when he came on the scene with Borussia Dortmund that I started to look up the team-sheet from that night and I couldn’t believe it.

“Obviously I was cheering on Germany having played against Götze, but even funnier than that I did a wee 1 Euro bet on him to score the next goal I can’t even remember what price he was, but because the goal came in extra-time I just got my money back.”

Also in the German side that night in Blarney alongside the Bayern Munich man was goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who only recently moved to Barcelona from Borussia Mönchengladbach for a reported 12 million Euros and the ex-Finn Harps shot-stopper knows just how hard it is to make the big time.

“Marc-André ter Stegen who just signed with Barca recently he played in nets for Germany that night.

“There has been some difference in the career paths but no disrespect a couple of weeks ago I was playing at Castle Park with the Reserves just to get a game and there’s Götze playing and scoring the winner in the World Cup final.

“It’s six years since that match and they have probably had full time professional training everyday since then, while this is my first year in a professional environment but unfortunately that’s just the way it is in Ireland.

“I was 16 years old and small compared to some of the German players, especially their centre-backs, who were over 6ft and well built, they were also getting full-time training since probably 11 or 12.

“But I’m really enjoying it at Derry City and I was under no illusion that game time was going to be very limited this season, but the opportunity to train full-time and also to train with Gerard (Doherty) who in my opinion is the best goalkeeper in the country, meant it was too good to turn down at the time.

“I have learned lots already and being involved in the squad for the Europa League games have been great.”