They’d always rated Thomas Edward Donohoe around Crosskeys and Drumavaddy, and he’s worn a Cavan jersey before.
The Denn club man was an integral part of the county minor team that made it to the Ulster final against Derry in 2015, but when you play for a junior club like Donohoe does, it’s hard to get noticed and it’s easy get forgotten about.
Donohoe has always found a way though.
Take 2015 for example. He pulled up trees early on that year for St Patrick’s College, Cavan, firing his school to their first MaCrory Cup final in more than 40 years with 2-3 in the final against Dungannon.
That’s what put him in the shop window for the county minor team. Schools’ and College’s football has served Donohoe well.
Five years on and Donohoe is outside the Cavan camp again, but he’s giving county manager Mickey Graham plenty of food for thought with an impressive Sigerson Cup run for his college DCU.
Congratulations to Thomas Edward and all at DCU on their Sigerson win tonight.
Subject to correction Thomas Edward becomes our 1st Sigerson Cup winner. #dennabu
@DCUGAAAcademy @CavanCoBoardGaa— DennGAA (@DennGAA) January 29, 2020
The north Dublin university won their fifth title on Wednesday night, with a convincing final victory over IT Carlow and Donohoe, the speedy corner forward has been a key part in their run.
Speaking after the game, DCU manager Paddy Christie paid tribute to his gem from Cavan, who he expects to make an inter-county breakthrough soon.
“He would be sort of an unknown and he’s not even on the Cavan panel, but Thomas Edward Donohoe has been very good for us,” said Christie.
“I was waiting to be told he wasn’t going to be available for training or he’s not going to be available for this…
“You’ve got fellas like that who should make a breakthrough. That’s what this competition is about, people like him who I imagine will be in a Cavan jersey in the next three months.
Hear, hear.
“This is an opportunity for him to put himself on the map. He might have been an unknown but he won’t be unknown now. That’s what’s lovely about the competition, it’s not 15 All-Stars, it’s fellas trying to getting to be All-Stars in the future…”
Donohoe scored 1-2 in four games for his college, and looked a lively threat throughout their journey.
Shane Carthy is another who’s been on the cusp of a county break, and Christie expects the Naomh Mearnóg club man to get a shot with Dessie Farrel’s Dubs this yar.
“I’d imagine Shane Carthy is in a very strong position to get a good run. I don’t know what he’d have to do at this stage not to get a shot. He’s big and powerful and good in the air. He’s a lovely kick of the ball and in the new rules, you’re looking for a guy who can kick a ball 20 metres or longer crisply into a fella’s chest.
“That’s Shane’s game so I imagine he should get a good look in…”
