Banner boy wonder O’Donnell feels like he’s back on track

It’s a well known story by now.

For last September’s All-Ireland SHC final replay Shane O’Donnell was barely 19 when he was included as a surprise late starter. In the first 19 minutes he scored a hat-trick of goals and Clare went on to win a magnificent game. Shane became an instant idol, not just of Clare hurling fans but, with his curly locks, cheeky-grin good looks... well, you get the picture.

After such a head-spinning high there was bound to be lows and when this year’s hurling season began O’Donnell, a second-year genetics student in UCC, struggled to find his form.