You’d be delighted for him.
Micheal Donoghue doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a manager, but you’d nearly feel that’s because of his own actions, and that it’s his own choice.
Donoghue, as he admitted to The GAA Hour Show host Colm Parkinson last week, likes to keep a low profile, he likes to go about his business quietly, with minimal fuss.
In Ireland, we love a big personality, we love a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, well we don’t all love them, but we sure know about them. Take Davy Fitzgerald for example.
There’s some contrast between his histrionics and the folded-arms of Donoghue, but both men are legends of the game, legends of this country.
When Donoghue guided Galway to their first All-Ireland in 29 years, he achieved the rare feat of becoming one of the only men to have lead both his club and his county to All-Ireland glory.
He deserves all the plaudits, the man is obviously a genius, but he probably won’t get them, and that’s his own choice.
Donoghue modestly claimed in an interview after the the game that he likes to take a hands-off approach in leading his team. He spoke of opening the dressing room to the various characters in the Galway panel, to allow their powerful personalities to come to the fore, to dominate.
Donoghue facilitated this, he knew the type of men he was dealing with. His approach was spot on because he empowered them, he trusted them, and they trusted him, too.
There were scenes of jubilation in Croke Park, in the City West Hotel afterwards, in Galway on Monday night.
Uncharacteristically for the Clarinbridge man, he couldn’t hold back the tears in Croke Park, and when he met his parents in Galway he couldn’t hold them back either.
Galway are bringing home Liam – and what a welcome they're going to get! #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/BuOSAlCsmx
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) September 4, 2017
It was great to see how much it meant to him, to Galway, because they have achieved something that so many others before them were unable to.
https://twitter.com/Clodaghmaijune/status/904769028060741632
Just watched Micheál Donoghue on RTE NEWS arrive with the cup & meeting his parents in Ballinasloe. That's what gaa is about #galwaygaa #gaa
— Michael Brennan (@Mickybrennan14) September 4, 2017
The footage of Micheál Donoghue meeting his father with Liam. Magic.
— Ciara Reilly (@PrimEdTeacher) September 4, 2017
Micheal Donoghue in floods of tears meeting his parents in #Ballinasloe…..that's who you do it for the people who are closest #Galway
— jayod (@jason_donoghue) September 4, 2017
And they all had the shackles off at the homecoming, especially substitute Paul Flaherty who showcased his singing abilities with a rousing rendition of West’s Awake.
https://twitter.com/Annehug/status/904774340142563328
The other lads were looking slick, and soaking it all in.
Jason Flynn made a young supporters day.
David Burke made a Garda’s day.
The panel made a whole county’s day.
The West is well and truly awake.
