Enforcer William O’Donoghue not taken aback Galway are final opponents
THE last Championship meeting of Limerick and Galway, the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final, was the beginning of a new era at centre-back for the Shannonsiders. With Declan Hannon sidelined, Kyle Hayes was listed at the heart of the defence, but it was the enforcer, William O’Donoghue who lined up there, despite being handed a midfield shirt.
O’Donoghue would do similar in the subsequent final, and while Limerick flirted with Hayes in the interim, 2026 has seen the six shirt owned by the towering 31-year-old. A sixth All-Ireland final awaits.
“It’s a big occasion in it’s own right and to be back there is special. Much has been made of not being there in the last two years. Does that make it more special now? It doesn’t.
"If we were having this chat before the 2023 All-Ireland, I would have said this is the most important All-Ireland. In their own right, they are all significant”, explained O’Donoghue.
Quietly going about things against Clare, it is widely accepted that he was key to another tight Treaty triumph – as a strong finish saw them outgun their neighbours.
“It isn’t always easy (to stick to the process against Clare). Sometimes you won’t get the result that you want, don’t get me wrong. But to eke out a one score win in the last two games, has been very pleasing.
O’Donoghue has won every accolade available to him with Limerick and his club Na Piarsaigh, who hail from the northside of the city. Subbed on late in the 2018 decider 2018, he like many others, has collected five Celtic crosses, while he can boast a pair of All-Star awards, both won at midfield.
However, there is no time for reflection and O’Donoghue was quick to compliment the Tribesmen ahead of this final.
“Galway are a massive challenge. They obviously have the mix of experience and youth and all the benefits that come with the innocence of youth, or whatever way you want to look at it.
"But look, they are in the All-Ireland final. We played them in the League, and it is no shock to us that they are in this final. They cut a ten-or-11-point gap (in the League clash) in a matter of minutes. They were incredibly difficult to play against; they had us in all sorts of bother.
“Looking at all their performances throughout the year, how hard they are working, their shooting efficiency and if you looked at their stats blindly it is no surprise as to why they are in an All-Ireland final.
The mania of an All-Ireland brings a unique challenge to players but the Caherdavin native believes he has the correct balance.
“I would love to say I am a breeze to deal with!”, he joked.
“But if they heard this, they might say ‘What planet are you living on?’. But for a final, there is a heightened sense of excitement. My family are aware of how much this means to me, and I am aware of how much this means to them. I think in order for me to get the best out of myself and contribute to the team I need to relax and not be talking about it.”
Galway’s chances of success could well hinge on getting some level of dominance over the wall of Limerick, their half-back line, which will see Diarmuid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes flanking vice-captain, O’Donoghue.