You’re only as good as your last game, and Shane O’Donnell arrived in Cork on Saturday like a man that had a point to prove.
In truth, the Éire Óg Ennis club man was lucky to keep his place on the Clare team for their All-Ireland quarter-final with Wexford. Speaking on Monday’s GAA Hour Show, JJ Delaney felt it was only O’Donnell’s work-rate that kept him in there.
“He’ll always start because he’s a brilliant worker, his hooking, his blocking, he’s an absolute nightmare,” said JJ.
But O’Donnell proved his point on Sunday.
Despite being as sharp as a tack throughout the Banner’s League campaign, his confidence took a hit after a wasteful showing in their Munster opener against Cork in May.
That day, O’Donnell’s first touch was as lethal as ever and he must have been in possession of the ball more than any other man on the pitch. He kept getting on the ball in dangerous positions and he could easily have had five points to his name if he just tapped the ball over the bar, but it looked for all the world as if this was a full forward just programmed to pass it on.
The points were on as his movement and touch created the space for himself that every forward craves, but he’d always drop the shoulder as if he had to take his man on. Brendan Bugler’s assertions that he’s the ‘most unselfish player’ he’s ever played with helps to explain that but it was frustrating to watch because if he took the simple option, things would have worked out much better for Clare.
Brendan Bugler says what should have been said ages ago about Shane O'Donnell https://t.co/o8ojjSCJi2
— Clare Page (@clarepageirl) February 20, 2018
Clare were on the hunt for goals and it appeared like O’Donnell was just doing as he was told, so it’s hard to blame him.
From then on, his Munster campaign was a disappointment. So unusual for O’Donnell, his first touch let him down on those occasions. He looked like a lad overthinking things and he looked like a lad restricted as his usual off the cuff brilliance disappeared.
This was best summed up by a moment in the second half of the Munster final when he showed all the hallmarks of a forward just drained of confidence. He received a gift of a short puck-out from Anthony Nash, only to rush himself and puck it straight back into Nash’s hands.
That wasn’t the real Shane O’Donnell.
The real Shane O’Donnell came out in Cork on Saturday and he was one of the best players on the pitch. With John Conlon at 14, O’Donnell was given a licence to roam and he must have trampled every blade of grass in the new stadium. He started in the corner but he made his way out to the wing and it seemed to suit him a lot more.
He gave, Reck, Murphy, Firman and anyone else who came near him the runaround on his way to four points from play. The best thing about it all, he actually took his chances rather than seeking contact every time he got on the ball. He didn’t have to go for goal every time he got the ball.
“I was delighted for Shane O’Donnell on Saturday. It was like he was told by the management that you don’t have to go for goals all day like we’ve been telling you in every other game,” said Damien Hayes on Monday’s GAA Hour Hurling Show.
“Every time I’ve seen Shane O’Donnell over the last few years he used to drop the head, drop the shoulder and try to make a goal. He’s just such a team player. The last day, he was actually taking his points. He could score four or five points in every game because he’s able to get his hands on the ball,” added the Galway man.
That’s an absolute fact. O’Donnell may not be the most natural striker but he wins ball in such dangerous positions that all he has to do is flick it over the bar. It was a good move by the Clare management to free him up, but God, a man like O’Donnell should be given the licence to do whatever he wants every single day.
“That’ll give him unbelievable. confidence. It’ll make him feel good about himself. He’s coming into a rich vein of form now for the Galway game.”
Indeed, Damien Hayes – a Galway man who works in Clare, is braced for the challenge these boys will pose the Tribesmen in two weeks time.
“This is a very dangerous Clare team. I’m looking forward to seeing Daithí Burke marking John Conlon. I’m looking forward to seeing Tony Kelly marking Gearóid McInerney.
“Clare lads are letting down the windows, and roaring in at me saying, ‘come on the Banner.’ The craic is starting. Clare will love a rattle at Galway, it’s a very dangerous game for Galway,” he said.
There’s no doubt about that. A confident Shane O’Donnell poses as much danger as anybody else now.
You can listen to JJ, Damien and Wooly’s thoughts on the weekend’s action here.
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