Donaghy craving season salvation

HIS inter-county career has been laden with honours, but it is glory on the domestic front that Kieran Donaghy craves most. Next Sunday is a prized opportunity as Austin Stacks are aiming to end a sixteen year Kerry SFC title drought against Dr Crokes.

The Tralee club have defied the odds to reach this juncture yet it is a league tie in August against Finuge rather than any championship clashes that Donaghy pinpoints as key in their season.

“That county League game against Finuge was the defining moment. I remember losing the rag with the boys out in the field afterwards when we were in a huddle. I said lads if we are going to allow players to run 50 yards through the heart of our defence and stick it in the back of the net, like we did in the second half of that game, then I said we were only wasting our time.

“In a way, it was good because it took the heat off us going into the game against Feale Rangers. To have to go to Listowel and take on Feale Rangers in their own backyard was always going to be a tough proposition. It was a game that could have gone either way because Noel Kennelly had the ball with about three minutes to go in the game but William Kirby came from nowhere to get a hand to it. Its things like that win you championships.”

Kirby has been double-jobbing this season as a totemic presence in the middle of the park and as joint-manager with Wayne Quillinan. Donaghy is effusive in his praise of both men.

“Look at where the boys took us over from when we were in the depths of despair back in 2008, having lost down in Kenmare in the championship. It’s phenomenal when you think about it. Wayne just puts all his life into this job and the Stacks, he is the most dedicated man I know. Then William Kirby holds the total respect of every player in the squad. Darragh O’Se will tell you that Kirby was one of the best players he ever played with and now we are very lucky to have him.”

Donaghy has also expressed sympathy for intercounty colleague Daniel Bohane who is unable to take his place in the Austin Stacks defence due to a broken arm sustained in the semi-final win over Dingle.

“It took all the gloss off that semi-final. Daniel is the heart and soul of the team, driving us on from his pivotal centre-back position. To see him in pain after the game and to see him in hospital on the night after, having had the operation on his wrist – it’s gut wrenching. It always seems that when his big chance is about to come either with Kerry or with Stacks, something bad seems to happen. But he is the type of player that refuses to give up, he just keeps coming back.”

Meanwhile, Dr Crokes star attacker Kieran O’Leary admits he has ‘mixed emotions’ ahead of Sunday’s game as despite being scheduled to go off crutches tomorrow, a leg injury still looks set to rule him out of the final.

“My emotions are mixed alright. In a way I am looking forward to it, it’s where every player wants to be but when you’re not out there and you know you could be it’s very disappointing but I know the boys are going to be ready. All I can do is wish them the best and hopefully we’ll be celebrating a victory this time.”