High praise.
Forget about 2013 and judge Shane O’Donnell for yourself now. Analysed fairly and the Clare man has to be considered as one of the most effective full forwards in hurling.
Shane O’Donnell changed the perception about himself when he was only 19. In his first year on the Banner seniors, the Éire Óg, Ennis teenager effectively won his county an All-Ireland, scoring 3-3 from play in a dream day out.
From that moment onwards, Shane O’Donnell was going to be judged by the highest possible standards.
The next few years were slow and disappointing for Clare. Poor tactics, bad luck and more let them down and none of their players really caught fire.
Their young full forward was still probably one of their best and most consistent performers, but just because he wasn’t scoring 3-3 every day and Clare weren’t winning, phrases like ‘one hit wonder’ and ‘flash in the pan’ were thrown about.
That was just as unfair as it was wrong. The former UCC student put in some class displays with the Clare 21s after, he gave many a senior full back the runaround in Clare’s 2016 League winning campaign and in the Munster championship, but because Clare weren’t really firing, he didn’t get the praise he deserved.
He’s one of the best full forwards in the country. He’s been showing that for years now. O’Donnell must be an absolute dream for other forward to play alongside.
His first touch is killer. He’ll contest and win most high balls that come his way, either through a clean catch or through bringing the ball down to himself with a leap and touch.
When he gets it into his hand, Clare are motoring. He’s motoring.
He turns, he takes on his man. He draws defenders in, he creates space for his teammates. He glides past these defenders, he gives a pass or wins a free. Sometimes he scores. He rarely wastes a ball.
Brendan Bugler played on O’Donnell’s side for years, and he’s always been impressed with his direct, selfless team play.
“He’s probably the most unselfish player I’ve ever played with, being honest with you. He’s just a real team player. He knows his limitations as well. Sods will tell you himself, he’s not the greatest striker in the world. He might find it difficult to put a ball over the bar from 50 or 60 yards, but he knows that.
“Nobody can rival his first touch. The Clare forwards seem to know that if you run off Sod’s shoulder, you’re going to get it. He’s so smart with the ball as well. “(The other day against Cork) Tony knew straight away when he hit the ball to him, that Sods would have seen him.”
You can see that peripheral vision here from 1:59. O’Donnell doing what he does best, and that’s making Clare tick.
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“He has that peripheral vision that is unrivalled. He’s the ultimate team player. He’s a massive player for us at the moment. His form is just phenomenal, and as I said, these forwards like that direct ball, and Sods he loves it.”
Michael Carton, also speaking on The GAA Hour Show recalled his first experience of marking O’Donnell in 2013. He knew this lad was destined for big things.
“In 2013, we played a challenge game earlier in the year against Clare. ‘Dalo’ says to me, we’re going to try you full back here.
Carton was in for a baptism of fire at number three. Via Clare’s hungry youngster Shane O’Donnell.
“I didn’t know much about him at the time. (He had) two goals on me in 15 minutes. He was so good. His movement, his speed. There were low balls coming in, and I couldn’t believe how quick his hands were.
“No hurl into his hand and he was gone. ‘Dalo’ told me before the game how direct he was but I seen it first hand how good he was, so it didn’t surprise me when he did so well in the All-Ireland final.”
Clare are flying high at the top of the League now. With O’Donnell at full forward, they’ll keep ticking.
You can listen to Brendan Bugler chatting about Clare and much more from Wooly and Michael Carton on Monday’s GAA Hour Hurling Show.
