Ryan O’Donoghue: 'What my mother and father have done for me… this is for them'

FOR THEM: Mayo's Ryan O'Donoghue is congratulated by his mother Brenda. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

An emotional Ryan O’Donoghue paid tribute to his parents and the people of Belmullet for their support over the years.

O’Donoghue singled out the dedication of Brenda and Michael in bringing him to training sessions and the backing of his brother Shea and fiancée Courtney.

“It’s been a long road since I was 11, 12 years of age, going up to the National Stadium in Dublin boxing, with my mum and dad, and running the roads, soccer, Sligo Rovers, Mayo minors… everything has been worth it and just so proud of all the lads, and we're All-Ireland champions.

“What my mother and father have done for me… you can agree with me here, it's different being from Belmullet, like. We don't have the resources. We're a lot further from everywhere else, and what my mother and father and Shea and Courtney have done, this is for them, as much for them as it is for me.”

O’Donoghue spoke of how difficult his 2021 All-Ireland final experience against Tyrone was and the graft he has put in since.

“That was horrible, like, and I took it on the chin, worked hard. There's a lot of dark days, myself and Courtney in the house, and that's probably why I'm so proud of the lad because, yeah, that was horrible.

“(It) obviously didn't go my way, but I knew I'd be back. I knew I'd be back here, and I'd get the opportunity. I didn't know how long the last couple of years, it was maybe longer than I thought, or further away than I thought, but I knew I'd be back.

“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I've learned and worked hard, sports psychologist, tactically, gym, everything. I've worked so hard to get where I am today, and that's what I'm so proud of. And, yeah, it's absolutely unbelievable.”

O’Donoghue acknowledged manager Andy Moran’s infectious positivity and his constant advice to back themselves.

“These young bucks, Kobe (McDonald), Darragh (Beirne), Bob (Tuohy), I could go on, you know who I'm on about. They didn't care, it was nothing to do with them.

“Andy just instilled with us, ‘Let's have a crack, why not us?’ And keep swinging. You make a mistake, who cares? If you kick a wide, who cares? Set up for the kick-out. And yeah, just unbelievable.” 

O’Donoghue added: “It’s all stemming down from Andy, the belief. I don't know how many balls I dropped short but got one at the top of the arc and hit it outside the boot. Just backed myself.

“That's the belief and the never-say-die attitude that Andy and the lads have instilled in us. And if Andy didn't instil that in us, I wouldn't be talking to you here.”

From the Hogan Stand steps, captain Jack Coyne hailed the work of performance coach Rachel Sheehan and O’Donoghue was just as effusive in his praise of her.

“Look, the highest level now, you're always looking for the one per centers. She’s been absolutely unbelievable, unbelievable for me. We've had unbelievable ones in the past, and we've worked very hard, but Rachel has done something different for us and for myself.”