The coaching rise of Kieran Donaghy — 'In a way his entire life is a sports film'

Kieran Shannon charts Kieran Donaghy's coaching rise. The people who know him say he's as natural a sport psychologist you can get, "though he’s never taken a class on it". 

Armagh's Selector Kieran Donaghy arrives for last year's All-Ireland final. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

WEEKS before Armagh beat Kerry in the 2002 All-Ireland football final, an American called Rus Bradburd first met a promising but wayward teen called Kieran Donaghy.

They did not hit it off. Bradburd had initiated the meeting upon hearing Donaghy was the best young basketball player in Kerry and wanted him to play for the Superleague team that he had just been entrusted with, Tralee Tigers.