Donoghue: 'A massive opportunity'
Galway manager looks forward to All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash with Cork
GALWAY’S third Leinster title under Micheál Donoghue - the first of his second stint as manager - has set up a fourth All-Ireland semi-final under his watch after the trilogy with Tipperary in 2016, ‘17 and ‘18.
Twelve days out from the fixture, Herald Sport met the Clarinbridge clubman in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry to reflect on his side’s season so far, their provincial success, and the opportunity presented by this weekend’s clash with Cork.
ON THE CHANCE TO REACH A FIRST FINAL IN EIGHT SEASONS
It's a massive opportunity. For us, winning Leinster, it gave you the four-week gap and the opportunity to play in the semi-final. It's not lost on us as a management or the group that these opportunities don't come around too often.
I said in the aftermath of the Leinster final that was our number one goal with the group, so it was really satisfying to achieve that. But in equal measure, you get the opportunity to go straight through the semi. For us, it's getting this group in as many high-pressurised games, if you like, to amass that experience that hopefully will stand them in good stead as they move on in their careers.
They've had a really good experience in the Leinster final. It's another opportunity to play a big, meaningful knockout game that they can really test themselves in Croke Park, probably a full house. It's something we're really looking forward to.
ON MANAGING THE GAP TO THEIR LEINSTER FINAL WIN
When the Leinster championship is on, you're going from game-to-game and week-to-week. I think it's very hard to do a whole lot in between games. I think the optimal for us would probably be a three-week gap between every game. If you go two to three weeks, then you could actually keep building and do more on the pitch. So, it's kind of alien to us having the four weeks. After the Leinster final, we've gave the lads a few days to enjoy it, then get in some rest and obviously then get back to work. It's gone OK for us.
ON SEASONED PLAYERS DAITHÍ BURKE, THE MANNIONS, CONOR WHELAN & CONOR COONEY
That experience, that leadership really shone through in the Leinster final I thought. They were to the fore. They really set the tone, set the standard and brought the young fellas with them. I think the biggest thing for us is there's a total recognition and acknowledgement within the group that it's their team. As teams evolve, different leaders emerge and they have to drive the standard. All those boys, while they've unbelievable experience, they still have an unbelievable hunger and want to achieve as much as they can. They're very much driving the standard for us in training. It's great to have lads in the squad that have done it and worn the t-shirt. They can share that experience with the younger fellas. I think that's really shining through now for the last couple of weeks.
ON THE ACCELERATED PROGRESS OF THE SIDE’S DEBUTANTS
I We've seen them right through the ranks in the club level and knowing that they're special talents. For them, it's just amassing experience in big games. For them to play in their first Leinster final and win it, that's going to be massive for them as they move forward over the next couple of years. Equally, for them to recognise the opportunity that is in front of us with the semi-final. I think for their experience, it's brilliant to play in a big, big game that has huge consequences. They're really excited by it and their energy levels are incredible and what they're doing for the group. For us, it's all about performance now and to make sure that they're comfortable in our preparation and they can go out and execute what they've been doing all year.
ON THE VALUE OF FOUR WEEKS PREP IN SUCH A RELENTLESS SEASON
It's the biggest carrot when you get to that stage. Obviously, you want to win it on the day and everything that goes with that but a huge incentive of it is you get the month in preparation for it. I think over the last few weeks, you can hear from all managers when they're coming out and talking there has to be some review on it because it's so attritional going through the championships for amateur players. They pontificate about welfare and well-being. It's far from it.
ON CORK & LIMERICK BEING MOST PEOPLE'S FAVOURITES
That's fair. That's completely fair and understandable. And it's real. They have been the standard bearers for the last couple of years. They're knocking on the door big time. I said this many years ago, if you want to be successful at the top table, you've got to be knocking on the door and they have been. They have a huge hunger and appetite and they've shown unbelievable consistency to be knocking on the door the whole time. We've nothing but respect for them, the work that's been done in the last couple of years with Pat [Ryan] and Ben O'Connor has come in now and just carried it on and gone to another level. We recognise the strength and depth they have in the squad. For us, it's the opportunity. We're very much focussing on ourselves and working as hard as we can. We're really looking forward to getting a crack at it.
ON FACING THE REBELS
Huge challenge. Themselves and Limerick have probably been the standard-bearers for the whole country. Their level of consistency is admirable. They've done huge work over the last few years. Ben [O'Connor] has come in and brought it to another level again. That's the challenge. For us, we're absolutely delighted to be in the position we're in. We know it's a huge challenge but for us, right now, it's just focussing on ourselves. It's our own preparation and making sure that we try and execute our own game plan as best we can.
ON A LARGE GALWAY SUPPORT FOR THE GAME
Everyone that's in sport can see the support that Cork have. For ourselves, I think the connection is getting stronger with every game with our own supporters. We had a great crowd at the Leinster final. When you have days like the Leinster final, it's great to experience it with a big crowd. I just hope now that the crowd acknowledge and recognise what it means for our lads to represent the jersey. They can see how hard they're working. They're a team that's evolving. They're a team that I think has an unbelievable future. So I hope they come and support the lads.