Shane O’Donnell on Éire Óg’s long wait, battling injury, and the prospect of a return next year

Until now, Shane O’Donnell’s career highlight was an Under-15 B championship with Éire Óg

Shane O'Donnell of Éire Óg Ennis celebrates after victory in the Clare County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Clooney Quin and Éire Óg Ennis at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

In the match programme before the Clare SHC final, players were asked for their career highlight to date. A host of the intercounty stars involved, the likes of David Reidy, Peter Duggan and Ryan Taylor, opted for the same answer. Shane O’Donnell didn’t.

While his county team-mates pointed to the 2024 All-Ireland triumph, O’Donnell’s choice was more modest: success with Éire Óg, an Under-15 B championship. He was part of the panel that won the intermediate title in 2011 and on Sunday, he clipped two points to help end a 35-year wait for a senior title and deny Clooney-Quin.