Shane O'Donnell of Donegal during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Donegal and Derry at Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon, Donegal. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
“If you can see it, you can be it”, is a motivational quote often used in sport.
It was first coined by the tennis player Billie Jean King, but it’s been harnessed to good effect by the LGFA and many other sporting organisations and teams.
It comes quickly to mind when you consider the make-up of the Donegal team that starts the defence of their Ulster title on Sunday against Derry.
Their panel is dominated by players who were young boys when Donegal won their last All-Ireland title back in 2012.
Their imaginations were fired by heroes like Jim McGuinness, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden, and Neil McGee and they dreamed of some day following in their footsteps.
Shane O’Donnell was one of those who saw it, believed he could be it, and is now doing it, though he admits it’s surreal that many of the same cast of characters he idolised as a boy are involved again in the current set-up.
“Aye, there's a big crop of players there who were only young kids up in the stand watching Jim and Michael and Colm and Neil whenever they were playing,” says O’Donnell.
“It was a bit surreal at the start when you see them around because they have that sort of celebrity status around them in Donegal and even outside of Donegal as well.
“Listen, they know their stuff, it's great to have them and we're taking our learnings from each of them individually. It's a great lift for Donegal in general to have them on board.”
O’Donnell made his debut for Donegal in 2022 and took a year out in 2023 before returning to the fold last year when McGuinness was appointed manager.
The team’s uptick in fortunes since that annus horribilis of 2023 has been remarkable with widespread disillusion in the county transformed to into the sort of fervour last seen during the first coming of McGuinness.
“It's great, aye,” says O’Donnell. “It's even nice to be driving aound Donegal and seeing all of the flags and everything up outside the houses and whatnot.
“It's great to have the support and we've seen it in the games with the kids coming onto the pitch afterwards, especially the home games we've had great support. That's what you need to get around these big games, that can be the edge you need to get over the line.
“It's great to have the support and it's great to feel it when you are going about your day to day week.”
Shane O'Donnell, left, and Niall O'Donnell of Donegal lifts the Anglo Celt Cup after the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship final match between Armagh and Donegal at St Tiernach's Park in Clones, Monaghan. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.
O’Donnell knows how much a successful county senior football team means to the people of Donegal because his own recall of big days following the team has always been a personal source of motivation.
“When I think back my first memories are of being in Clones, those were the first games you were getting onto the pitch and seeing all the players,” he says. “They were always the big moments.
“I was nine or 10 in 2011 so it was a great experience to be following Donegal back then at that age. Then the brother (Niall) was in before I came onto the scene so I was always running about when Declan Bonner was involved as manager as well.
“I've been lucky to see all the good Donegal teams that have come through and now trying to help bring success back to Donegal is the main thing.”
Now 23, O’Donnell looks like he’s really starting to come into his prime as a footballer.
He’s a versatile player who is comfortable in a number of positions, but perhaps perfectly suited to the demands of being a half-forward.
He carries the ball well, is clever in his use of possession, has an eye for a score, and defends well too.
In his third season of senior inter-county football, he feels like he’s now really getting to grips with what’s required at the highest level.
“The big one for me this year has just been able to be at home,” he says. “I'm teaching now over in Raphoe which is not to far from home and it's been going well.
“The last couple of years I was in Dublin studying in DCU so being able to be at home has been a big massive help even in terms of getting the preparation right in terms of nutrition and recovery and being able to get to training on time and what not. I've noticed a big change this year compared to other years.
“I'm always trying to improve after ever game. Even speaking to Colm or Jim or whoever it is, even chatting to Neil sometimes about the defensive stuff because of how important it is now.
“I'm just trying to learn with the new rules as well and trying to see what works best at the minute and how to get myself involved in the games more and add to the scoreboard as much as I can and even try to get a few turnovers when I can when I get back as well.”
He’s very wary of the challenge that Derry will pose on Sunday and not in the slightest looking beyond that match this year, but the young boy inside him will always want to emulate his heroes of 2012 by bringing Sam Maguire back to the Hills of Donegal.
“Well that is the dream come through,” he says. “That's why you're slogging yourself every night at training and you're looking after your body every day and doing something every day to make sure that you're right and prepared for it. That was the dream as a kid watching all the other bucks on the tv or even in Croke Park or Clones lifting trophies.
“Last year was surreal because that was my first trophy with a Donegal team ever and now this year we just want to build on it and focus on this Ulster championship and then worry about whatever comes after that."
