St Eunan’s dual star Niall O’Donnell doesn’t mind the extra work load these days – a busy autumn means Championship progression.
O’Donnell showed moments of real class yesterday evening when St Eunan’s bridged a 15-year gap to reach the Donegal SHC, dumping out champions Sean MacCumhaills.
O’Donnell, who did his Leaving Cert in June, was drafted onto the Donegal senior football squad this summer. The youngster now has the county hurling final against Setanta to look forward to as well as a football quarter-final against Gaoth Dobhair.
“It’s going to be a busy time, but I don’t mind that. I just take it one game at a time really,” O’Donnell said.
“It’s not too bad. Everyone at St Eunan’s is very supportive of the dual players. It just might mean taking a day off hurling here and there or a day off football. There are no complaints and it’s just second nature at this stage.”
St Eunan’s have waited an age for this moment.
Their endeavour paid off as they sent MacCumhaills packing.
O’Donnell said: “It was super. We’ve been banging on the door in county semi-finals for the last couple of years now, defeat after defeat, but we knew that we could make it if we had the full side out.
“We finally struck the right balance this year. MacCumhails are no easy opposition and they were the county champions. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy task.
“I can’t wait for the final. I’ve grown up watching the senior hurlers. There were a load of ex-players in the stand egging us on. There is a real family feeling in the hurling here.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsportstalk/niall-odonnell-reflects-as-st-eunans-reach-donegal-shc-final
