WITH FITNESS DOUBTS surrounding his inclusion for this year’s Munster final, O’Donoghue showed no signs of any injury — bagging 10 points in what quickly became an exhibition of score taking.
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With Cork allowing the Legion attacker far more freedom than the likes of Mayo and Donegal would as the year progressed, O’Donoghue took full advantage in the inside line with eight of his points coming from play.
That goal against Galway demonstrated just how unstoppable he is
It may have been his first goal of the championship, albeit only in his second game, but this beauty against Galway was a sign of things to come.
From the quarter-finals onwards he would score four crucial goals for the Kingdom but off the back of his 10 points against Cork, this goal really showed how frightening the Kerry attacker’s ability is.
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His pace, balance, strength and the left-footed solo before the right-footed rocket into the top corner. How can you contain that?
http://vine.co/v/M9bQKLKul0M
Still scoring 1-3 despite the heroic efforts of Keith Higgins
James Horan’s approach to Mayo’s initial championship semi-final meeting with Kerry this year looked set to ensure that there would be no repeat of the 1-15 O’Donoghue had scored between his two previous championship games.
With his star defender Keith Higgins deployed in the corner-back decision to pick up the Kerry attacker, and some additional help standing in front of him, O’Donoghue was marshalled and frustrated for long periods.
Yet despite some textbook shadowing and tackling by Higgins, the Kerry man took his few chances with aplomb and still finished the game with 1-3.
http://vine.co/v/MLYx7JwYupW
Crucial scores to reach the All-Irleand final
While his scores may have been the key to Kerry’s remaining existence by the time of the All-Ireland semi final replay, O’Donoghue’s last-minute miss in the drawn game may have set off some very human doubts ahead of round two.
Yet that was far from the case as he scored 2-6 to send Kerry back into the All-Ireland final, their first since 2011.
Far from a two-trick pony, O’Donoghue showed of an array of attributes throughout this year’s championship — none more so in this game than his ability from placed balls. He scored 2-2 from penalties and frees during this classic.
Ultimate display of unselfishness and adaptability in the All-Ireland final
Tasked with the ultimate test of unhinging the Donegal defence and the obstacle that is Neil McGee, the Kerry corner forward couldn’t have been blamed for forcing the arm of his manager to facilitate his usual inside role in the All-Ireland final.
After all it’s the stuff of dreams for any attacker to grab a score in an All-Ireland final, especially when in the kind of form the Legion man found himself in this season.
Unselfishly he demonstrated his work rate and distribution further afield as Eamonn Fitzmaurice adjusted his approach against the Donegal system, attempting to leave Paul Geaney and then Donaghy in more isolated positions close to goal.
He may have finished with a blank space beside his name but in this year’s final, he added to the endless lists of superlatives to describe his array of talents.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Footballer of the Year James O'Donoghue's best bits of the season
Demolition job in the Munster final
WITH FITNESS DOUBTS surrounding his inclusion for this year’s Munster final, O’Donoghue showed no signs of any injury — bagging 10 points in what quickly became an exhibition of score taking.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
With Cork allowing the Legion attacker far more freedom than the likes of Mayo and Donegal would as the year progressed, O’Donoghue took full advantage in the inside line with eight of his points coming from play.
That goal against Galway demonstrated just how unstoppable he is
It may have been his first goal of the championship, albeit only in his second game, but this beauty against Galway was a sign of things to come.
From the quarter-finals onwards he would score four crucial goals for the Kingdom but off the back of his 10 points against Cork, this goal really showed how frightening the Kerry attacker’s ability is.
His pace, balance, strength and the left-footed solo before the right-footed rocket into the top corner. How can you contain that?
http://vine.co/v/M9bQKLKul0M
Still scoring 1-3 despite the heroic efforts of Keith Higgins
James Horan’s approach to Mayo’s initial championship semi-final meeting with Kerry this year looked set to ensure that there would be no repeat of the 1-15 O’Donoghue had scored between his two previous championship games.
With his star defender Keith Higgins deployed in the corner-back decision to pick up the Kerry attacker, and some additional help standing in front of him, O’Donoghue was marshalled and frustrated for long periods.
Yet despite some textbook shadowing and tackling by Higgins, the Kerry man took his few chances with aplomb and still finished the game with 1-3.
http://vine.co/v/MLYx7JwYupW
Crucial scores to reach the All-Irleand final
While his scores may have been the key to Kerry’s remaining existence by the time of the All-Ireland semi final replay, O’Donoghue’s last-minute miss in the drawn game may have set off some very human doubts ahead of round two.
Yet that was far from the case as he scored 2-6 to send Kerry back into the All-Ireland final, their first since 2011.
Far from a two-trick pony, O’Donoghue showed of an array of attributes throughout this year’s championship — none more so in this game than his ability from placed balls. He scored 2-2 from penalties and frees during this classic.
Ultimate display of unselfishness and adaptability in the All-Ireland final
Tasked with the ultimate test of unhinging the Donegal defence and the obstacle that is Neil McGee, the Kerry corner forward couldn’t have been blamed for forcing the arm of his manager to facilitate his usual inside role in the All-Ireland final.
After all it’s the stuff of dreams for any attacker to grab a score in an All-Ireland final, especially when in the kind of form the Legion man found himself in this season.
Unselfishly he demonstrated his work rate and distribution further afield as Eamonn Fitzmaurice adjusted his approach against the Donegal system, attempting to leave Paul Geaney and then Donaghy in more isolated positions close to goal.
He may have finished with a blank space beside his name but in this year’s final, he added to the endless lists of superlatives to describe his array of talents.
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Footballer of the Year GAA Kerry the new leader