5 days ago
Micheal Donoghue knows exactly what Galway hurling has been craving for the past seven years
GALWAY chief Micheál Donoghue can feel his county's seven-year itch for glory.
Their last piece of Championship silverware arrived in 2018 when they won the Leinster SHC during Donoghue's first stint as boss.
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Galway manager Micheál Donoghue says he knows exactly what his side need for All-Ireland success
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Galway face Kilkenny on Sunday in the Leinster SHC this weekend
Limerick derailed their quest for successive
Wexford lifted the Bob O'Keeffe Cup in 2019 after
And the province has been dominated by
The Cats are chasing their sixth title in a row in Sunday's final after sending Galway packing in the 2020, 2022 and 2023 deciders.
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But home is where the heart is for Donoghue after a stint in charge of Dublin.
And claiming glory with Galway is all he wants.
Donoghue said: 'Seven years is not huge but it might be in Galway . . .
'If you go through the group, a lot haven't got a Leinster medal.
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'It's a big opportunity. The lads are motivated to try and get one.
'Kilkenny have been the kingpins in Leinster over the last few years and that's not lost on us. We know that we have to turn up and be the best version of ourselves to compete.'
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A lot has changed since Donoghue first stepped into the senior hotseat almost a decade ago.
Galway were on the cusp of an All-Ireland and lost the 2015 final to Kilkenny before a player heave saw Anthony Cunningham depart as boss.
The squad was ready-made for glory and got over the line in 2017 with Joe Canning, Aidan Harte, Gearóid McInerney, Johnny Coen, Daithí Burke and David Burke in their prime.
Daithí and David Burke are still soldiering on, while Harte has linked up with Donoghue's backroom team as a coach.
Newer faces such as Gavin Lee, TJ Brennan and Anthony Burns have now stepped up to the plate.
And their manager can feel things weaving together nicely.
He said: 'For us, it was about seeing how we could change things and freshen it up. You're trying to look at the now but you're trying to look at the future as well.
'In fairness to the lads, they've taken it all on board, taken it in their stride and are pushing on.
'There's a lot of frustration sometimes for players when they're not in the 26.
'But there's a really good spirit and group there at the minute where everyone is pushing each other and making sure we have the best lads on the pitch.
'The young lads are taking their chances. It shows there's a lot of quality still around.
'It's just to keep nurturing it and getting them more used to the environment and up to the pace. From our perspective, it's really positive.'
But the tried-and-trusted are still vital for the Tribesmen.
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Daithí Burke, 32, David Burke, 35, and Pádraic Mannion, 32, show no signs of stopping. Conor Whelan, 28, is also thriving as captain.
The Cats mauled the men in maroon 3-24 to 0-21 in the first round of the Leinster SHC.
But Donoghue hailed his stalwarts for driving them into Sunday's final with four wins on the bounce over Offaly, Wexford, Antrim and Dublin.
He said: 'Their experience shines through every night. Our management style is to make sure we're facilitators.
'We're trying to get to a stage where the boys are taking ownership and leading it.
'From our perspective, that's what they're doing over the last few weeks.
'They're driving it and setting the tone. They're setting a great example.
'For the young lads, what better role models can you have in terms of knowing what it takes to be an inter-county hurler?
'They make sure you're on it every night you come in.'
