Will O'Donoghue satisfied to return to the summit with Limerick
The Gaelic Writers’ Association awards, sponsored by Clayton Hotels recognise the extraordinary contribution of current players and managers and Will O'Donoghue is the 2026 GWA Hurling Personality of the Year.
By Cian O'Connell
Since the glory of 2018, Limerick have remained relevant. Following an emotional All-Ireland triumph, it isn't easy to maintain standards.
Limerick, though, returned to the summit of the hurling world this year.
Several players, who were part of that '18 success, continue to deliver for John Kiely's outfit. "I think that's probably down to the way our backroom team do look at making sure we're fresh all the time, making sure that we feel looked after, feel considered in the schedule that Limerick put together for us and the expertise that they bring," Will O'Donoghue explains.
The Na Piarsaigh clubman has been selected as the 2026 GWA Hurling Personality of the Year, proudly supported by Clayton Hotels. Joy can be found in the journey. "There's never a sense that we're being flogged, our best interests and our longevity, and that's all taken into account," O'Donoghue adds.
"It's not just short term flogging for a short term gain. It's all a part of a bigger picture. So, I guess we're very thankful to them and their expertise. That longevity, it's enjoyable enough to stay there, but you can also do it injury free as well."
In 2024 and 2025 Limerick didn't win All-Irelands. Recapturing the Liam MacCarthy Cup mattered deeply. "Yeah, it's huge satisfaction because whether anyone wants to admit it or not you do start questioning if you will get back there?," O'Donoghue says.
Limerick's Will O'Donoghue in action during the 2026 All-Ireland SHC Final against Galway at Croke Park. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
"When you're winning, you think that'll be the case forever. So I mean to get back there, achieve what we wanted, win the three major trophies this year, was obviously a huge, huge amount of satisfaction in that.
"Even if you take the Tipperary game this year in the round-robin, I mean there's huge satisfaction, while there may have been a larger score difference between let's say that and the Clare game in the semi-final, you're still getting huge satisfaction in winning a game in the Gaelic Grounds, in winning a Munster championship match, and delivering a good performance like that.
"I think we were just very keen to put in good performances and win as many games as we could.
"Even in the league, I know we lost the first game, but going unbeaten for the rest of the league, there was huge satisfaction in that. So I think we were probably very aggressive in what we wanted to achieve, and there was huge satisfaction every step along the way."
O'Donoghue operated as centre back for Limerick throughout the campaign. "In fairness, the consistency of playing there was probably the one thing that was reassuring because you know, from week to week you're getting feedback," he says.
"You're learning, and you can try to implement it. So by getting that consistency and probably getting those, I'd say I probably played 12 or 13 games, maybe more, at six for that group this year.
Limerick hurler William O'Donoghue with his PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Award during the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards at the RDS. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
"It's one thing playing there for Na Piarsaigh or whatever, but when you're playing with the same players in the same group and everyone's on the same understanding, the more exposure you can get to it, obviously the quicker it accelerates like how comfortable you're going to feel there."
It has been a busy campaign for O'Donoghue, who was part of the Na Piarsaigh team beaten by Kilmallock in the Limerick SHC Final.
The Limerick team are currently on a holiday, but preparations for 2027 will commence shortly. "This time of year goes very quickly," O'Donoghue says.
"If you're lucky enough to get the county final, you know you might get x amount of weeks off, but straight away I guess as a player you probably do have one eye on when you're going back in and getting back into some bit of a routine and just building your body back up to being able to deal with what's going to be thrown at us when we do go back.
"So while it is fine to take a break, once it's on the countdown, you probably have one eye closer on it to try to make life a bit easier when you do go back.
"You would be buzzing to be going back. Like I said, we've been fortunate enough that we got to spend a good bit of time together celebrating different occasions in the last few weeks, but it is a great time when we all get back in and get stuck into it for another year."
