Whitehall hurling star is excelling in a Dublin jersey

WHITEHALL Colmcille’s Eoghan O’Donnell has quickly become one of Dublin’s most promising hurlers thanks to his performances over the last few months.

Originally joining the senior hurling panel before he had even left school, the 20-year old made his senior championship debut against Wexford last month.

O’Donnell has been involved in inter-county hurling for most of his playing career, but insists that some of his successes have definitely surprised him.

Speaking to the Northside People, O’Donnell explains how his call-up to the Minor squad came at a shock, having been a fringe player on development squads for most of his underage career.

“It wasn’t something I was expecting. You never really expect to see yourself playing in a Dublin jersey, especially at such a high level,” O’Donnell says.

Despite impressive performances, he failed to leave the Minor squad with an All-Ireland medal after Dublin were beaten in a replay by Tipperary in the final, something which he insists “as long I’m playing, I’ll will regret not winning that day”.

He would soon bounce back by being called up to the Dublin seniors in 2014. Only 18-years-old at the time, O’Donnell claims it was like nothing he had experienced before.

“It was a mad experience walking into the dressing room and sitting beside your heroes,” he says.

“I was watching Liam Rushe and Conal Keaney play in these big games and then all of a sudden you’re there beside them.

“The intensity of training, the pace, the physicality: it was an absolute shock to the system. It took me nearly a year to earn my stripes in the team and establish myself.”

Fast forward two years, O’Donnell started the majority of Dublin league games this year, has played in both championship games and is also a leading figure in Dublin’s Under 21 panel.

When not representing his county, O’Donnell relishes the opportunity to play for his club.

As the first player from Whitehall Colmcille’s to play for the Dublin senior hurling team since the 1980s, the pride he takes in representing his parish is clearly seen, especially when he claims the highlight of his whole career so far was winning an Under 16 ‘A’ Shield Club Final.

“To win like that with your mates when we were huge underdogs, it was such a huge moment in my life and I’ll never forget it as long as I live,” O’Donnell says. 

“Whitehall is such a close-knit community. One of the biggest appeals of playing for your county for me is being able to represent your friends and teammates from your club.” After defeat to Kilkenny in the Leinster Championship semi-final, Dublin will now take on Cork in the All-Ireland qualifiers this Saturday, July 2.

While his personal goal may be to retain his starting position in the team throughout the year, O’Donnell says he will keep his focus on the team effort and the challenge they face against the Rebels.

“We’ve identified the issues from the last game, but we won’t take Cork for granted at all. We’ll take this game like we take every other and prepare for a huge battle,” he adds.  

REPORT: Daniel O’Connor