Micheál Donoghue happy to be developing emerging Galway talent
Galway senior hurling team manager Micheál Donoghue. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Click here to listen to the full interview with Galway senior hurling team manager Micheál Donoghue.
By Cian O'Connell
It was a winter spent planning and plotting to find solutions.
Galway's 2025 campaign ended in disappointment so Micheál Donoghue and his backroom team altered the approach.
Opportunities would be provided to emerging talent with a new style of play implemented. That is precisely what has happened, a Leinster title captured illustrating the potential in the Galway panel.
An All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final against Cork looms at GAA headquarters on Saturday.
How difficult was it to reset following 2025 Championship losses to Kilkenny and Tipperary? "I think the first year - it's not that you don't go in with your ambitions and goals - obviously there was huge disappointment with the way we went out last year," Donoghue replies.
"Nobody is going to be more disappointed than ourselves. However, we're judged or the criticism we might have got, it's never going to be as hard as our own self reflections.
"As a management team we put a lot of work in during the off season in terms of putting a squad together, recognising that we maybe had to change our game style and game plan.
"I think we've seen how that's gone and for us as a management team it's been fairly rewarding. It's been really challenging, but it's nice to see it in its fruition and getting the rewards for it. Hopefully, that can continue."
In his second stint as Galway boss, has Donoghue's perspective altered? "I think our ambition and our goals are always going to be the same - we want to be as successful as we can," Donoghue says.
"In that regard, no. I just think the more experience you have, the more comfortable you are in it, rather than at the start you're very mindful of perceptions and stuff. Now, that's completely out the window.
"As a management team, I think we're really comfortable, we've a great knowledge of the lads and what's going on around us. Collectively, we're comfortable on the journey we're on."
The Leinster triumph mattered for a number of reasons, particularly attaining silverware and a place in the last four of the All-Ireland race. "As we alluded to many times after the Leinster final, that was our number one goal," Donoghue says.
Mícheál Donoghue celebrates with Conor Whelan following the Leinster SHC Final victory at Croke Park. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"It was great to achieve that and have the month to prepare for this game.
"Internally, it was our number one goal from the start of the year. We set the target literally when we came back. So, when you achieve it, then it's very satisfying. I think that was reflected in the mood of the celebrations around it, glad to have that done."
The resilience Galway demonstrated following the round robin loss to Dublin and when behind significantly against Kildare and Wexford augurs well according to Donoghue. "For us it was evident throughout the league," he says.
"Some of the games being down and that resilience shining through on the lads. There is an unbelievable energy and brilliant spirit in the group. They're very much self motivated. Their talent is undoubted.
"I've said it many times, it's going through a transition, but you can see it evolving, and I think it's going to be exciting where it goes in the next few years for the lads."
Adopting a new method of play was something Galway targeted early in the campaign. "I think through the league it was very much working on the game plan and seeing how that evolved," Donoghue says.
"Franny (Forde) and the lads have done a brilliant job on that. I said it previously they've got massive buy in from the players. With that, they're energised by it, and we were getting better execution as we went through the league into the championship.
"Maybe the two games where we did fall behind, they showed massive resilience, they didn't panic, they stuck to the plan and process, and thankfully came out on the right side.
"This game is just a big opportunity for us. The last few weeks we've regrouped and hopefully energised ourselves and be ready to go."
Patience is required, but developing Galway hurling is critical for Donoghue. "For us when you're involved, you want players to experience games like Leinster finals, All-Ireland semi-finals and finals, hopefully," he replies.
"That's where the team learns and amasses that experience. So, they've the experience of the Leinster final and everything that goes with that.
"It's another big opportunity now in the semi-final, the overall thing is it's great experience for the lads, and I'm sure it will serve them well as they go through their careers. Hopefully we can give it a right crack."
