Galway manager Micheal Donoghue.
By Cian O'Connell
A year ago as a Galway versus Tipperary epic unfolded Micheal Donoghue sat in the Hogan Stand, part of the Blue and Gold backroom team.
Eamon O’Shea had asked Donoghue to assist with the Premier County in 2014 and Donoghue was thrilled to be still involved in such a crafty coaching set-up.
“Eamon asked me to get involved, it was just looking at different aspects of it, did a bit on the field, some new coaching on the field and I did some tactical stuff for him," says Donoghue. "I was up in the stand, watching the games for him and it just evolved into those three or four things over the two years.”
Watching Tipp collide with his native Galway, though, was demanding. “It was hard, it was very hard, but it is like any job, when you are asked to do something, you just completely focus on the job that you are given,” says Donoghue.
“It was hard, but if you are going to get beat, Galway were probably the team you want to see, succeed and push on. It was a huge game last year for both teams, Tipp would have been disappointed with how they performed, I thought Galway from start to finish, they were the ones that 100 per cent deserved to win the game.
“They performed well, but I don't think last year is going to have much bearing on this game. Every game is different, every Championship year brings something different.”
Having scorched through Munster defeating Cork, Limerick, and Waterford, Michael Ryan’s team have generated confidence and momentum.
“I think they have come through Munster fairly well, the win in the Munster final was pretty emphatic,” says Donoghue.
“I think they have been really good, even going back to the Limerick game, the conditions- they did really well and to tag on 20 plus scores for the day was really good. Look, Tipp are Tipp. They are a serious hurling outfit and they are going to be formidable opposition for anyone.
Micheal Donoghue celebrating following the All Ireland SHC Quarter-Final win.
“The only thing is that it will probably be more orthodox than anything we have encountered so far, particularly against Clare. You just don't want it to turn into a shoot-out. Last year was a high-scoring game, Galway scored 20 plus points last year and I know Tipp got the three goals, but both sides are going to look to reduce those concession rates.”
Donoghue feels that Tipperary have developed nicely during the past few campaigns. “If you are looking over the last number of years, they have just gone with a lot of continuity and, in fairness, some of the younger lads have really come to prominence this year.
“And when someone takes over a team, they are keen to put their own stamp on it. And Mick has done that, probably in the defensive side, but there probably isn't a huge change in their style of play over the last number of years, because they have had a lot of continuity.
“The biggest thing is that he has introduced two or three players, take John McGrath has got a better run this year than he had last year. But they have not only quality all over the team, but they have strength in depth in the squad.
“I suppose when you get to this stage of the Championship, it is all about progressing and getting to a final. And you would think the result over the performance in a semi-final just to get to the final and when you are so close to the final, you are going to be bitterly disappointed. It is just a huge prize and whoever doesn't progress, are going to be bitterly disappointed.”
Having spent two seasons travelling to Thurles to help train Tipperary, Donoghue knows plenty about the Blue and Gold, but the Clarinbridge man reckons it doesn’t carry too much importance.
“I don't think it is, going back to the league game, I was asked it as well. The way both teams play, they know each other so well from colleges and past experiences and past games, that it doesn't matter.
“I would love to be able to say, do this and it is going to work but every game is different. I would love to say, yeah, I have the answers, but sure look, time will tell.”
