Date Published: 23-Mar-2011

STEPHEN GLENNON

AS the messages of congratulations poured in from the likes of Sarsfields, Athenry and Portumna – those mighty hurling strongholds that, in their heady days, claimed All-Ireland Club titles themselves – Clarinbridge goalkeeper Liam Donoghue simply text back: ‘Now I know why ye held onto it for so long.’

If a picture painted a thousand words, then an ecstatic Donoghue was a Rembrandt. It would have taken two lorry loads of Roadstone’s finest to cement his feet to the ground and a day’s work from Paddy the Plasterer to conceal the broad smile on his face.

“Look it, it is beyond belief, but to be honest, we had huge confidence coming up here. I suppose, the expectation in the first 30 minutes was weighing us down a bit but once we went in at half-time level – and we knew we hadn’t really performed – it was then a case of throwing off the shackles and going for it.”

Indeed, given the O’Loughlin Gaels onslaught in the early stages, a lesser team might have capitulated but, as seen all year, the ready mix used to mould this Clarinbridge side is of a very high quality. “No, we didn’t panic,” agreed Donoghue. “That though just comes from winning games and the confidence you get from it.

“There was no one roaring or shouting – or anybody panicking – even in the first half when we went four or five points down because we kept chipping away. Everything they seemed to hit just went over the bar, so to go in at half-time level was just unbelievable. To get the chance to regroup and basically start again at half-time level was fantastic.

“The biggest thing for us then was our work-rate. We hadn’t been working in the first half; we weren’t closing them down, hooking or blocking. So, we basically said at half-time we need to leave everything out there. Everyone started hunting for the ball and it paid off. We won a free and went a point up and just drove on from there.”

Having suffered so many disappointments previously with club and county – including losing the All-Ireland hurling final to Cork in 2005 – the St. Patrick’s Day win at Croke Park for Donoghue was a big one long overdue. “It is an All-Ireland senior medal, and that is just beyond belief,” beamed Donoghue, as his feet began to twitch.

“You know, first time for the club, it is just amazing. It means the world to us and it is why we do it. This is for our families, for everyone. I just feel like jumping around the place.” And with that, Clarinbridge’s No. 1 takes flight . . . the soles of his boots fading from view as Donoghue springs over the moon.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.