Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty | Conan Keaney
Darran O'Sullivan | Eoin Bradley | James Masters | John McEntee
Mark Vaughan | Paul Kerrigan
This year, Kerry’s seemingly endless supply of footballing talent produced another star in the form of Kieran Donaghy.
The young Austin Stacks clubman only switched to the Kerry set up from basketball last year after winning the National Cup and being named Player of the Year with Tralee Tigers.
Initially a midfielder with Kerry, Donaghy was given a chance at full forward against Longford during the summer where he set up three goals, a number of points and scored a point himself.
There was no looking back after that. After the disappointment of the Munster final defeat to Cork, Kerry swept aside Armagh and Cork to set up an All-Ireland final date with Mayo.
Young Donaghy was pivotal in these wins, scoring his first Championship goal against Armagh and terrorising the Cork defence in the semi-final.
And he wasn’t phased by his first All-Ireland final. He created Kerry’s first goal and then scored one himself as the Kingdom shocked Mayo at Croke Park.
Aptly nicknamed ‘Star’, the future looks bright for Kerry’s latest footballing sensation.
2006 has been a great year for Kerry football. What has been the highlight for you?
It was great to break into the team and keep my place and play with such great players. I suppose winning the All-Ireland and scoring a goal and two points in the final was the high point of the year but I also got a great buzz from scoring the goal against Armagh in the quarter-final. That’s the score that I am most proud of.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
My first goal in Croker scored against Armagh. It was the score that changed the game that day and kind of turned Kerry’s season around as well.
Who are the toughest team you have ever faced?
Cork were very tough this year. They very nearly beat us in Killarney and that is saying something. We ended up playing each other three times so we knew all about each other.
Who was the toughest player you have come up against this year?
Armagh’s Francie Bellew.
Which players do you admire the most?
I think that Seamus Moynihan, Darragh Ó Sé and Paul Galvin are fantastic footballers.
Who was your childhood hero?
Michael Jordan, the famous basketball player who played for the USA and the Chicago Bulls.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Austin Stacks and Kerins O'Rahillys would be or main rivals.
Do you play any other sports?
Basketball and golf.
Could Gaelic football learn anything from basketball?
The two sports are very similar and compliment each other well. There is a lot of ball handling and movement in both games. In basketball, there are two referees for both halves and this helps the game a great deal - this could work very well in football where the referee can find it difficult at times to keep up with play. I think they should give it a try.
What’s the most important skill in the game, in your opinion?
High-fielding is the best skill in the game and it’s the cleanest way to gain possession of the ball. Get a friend and practise it together. I think the mark should be brought back into game to give good high-fielders some advantage after a great catch.
What are your hopes for the future?
I am really looking forward to next season and defending both our All-Ireland and National League titles.
What advice would you give to young players?
Listen to your coaches, aim high and train hard.
Name: Kieran Donaghy
Age: 23
Team: Kerry
Debut: 2005 v Dublin
Position: Midfield / Full-Forward
Honours:
1 All-Ireland Senior title,
1 National Football League title,
1 Munster Senior title,
1 County U-21 title,
4 County Junior C League titles,
1 National Basketball League title,
1 Sprite Basketball Cup.
Club: Austin Stacks
Fav Food: Steak with pepper sauce and potatoes
Fav Book: “Paddy on the Hardwood” by Rus Bradburd
Fav Music: Johnny Cash
Fav Film: Glory Road
Fav TV: Fawlty Towers
Fav Team: Chelsea / Chicago Bulls
Hobbies: Golf
Occupation: Manager of a sports shop
CÚL FACT: Not only is Kieran a Gaelic football star, he also plays basketball and in 2005 was voted Irish Basketball Player of the Year.
Kieran was a star on the TG4 Underdogs team that beat Kerry by a point back in 2004. The Kingdom realised they couldn’t do without him then.
© March 2008 |
