Tom O'Donoghue

O'Donoghue began hurling as a pupil at Mayfield National School before later lining out with Sullivan's Quay CBS in a number of underage and juvenile competitions. He joined the Mayfield club and competed in the City Junior Championship before transferring to the Sarsfields club after being courted by a number of city clubs.

O'Donoghue first played for Cork as a member of the minor team during the 1958 Munster Minor Championship. He lined out at left wing-back in the 2-15 to 3-07 defeat by Clare in what was Cork's only game of the championship.

After having no involvement with Cork at any grade after his sole year as a minor, O'Donoghue was drafted onto the senior team during the 1964 Oireachtas Cup. He made his debut for the team on 4 October 1964 when he was selected at full-back for the 3-11 to 1-02 defeat by Kilkenny. O'Donoghue was later included on Cork's panel for the 1964-65 National League before making his Munster Championship debut on 4 July 1965 in a 2-06 apiece draw with Waterford. He later lined out in his first Munster final, however, Cork were beaten by Tipperary by 4-11 to 0-05. O'Donoghue's arrival on the team was seen as solving Cork's problem position of full-back and he was described as being the best occupant of the number three jersey since John Lyons.

O'Donoghue lined out in a second successive provincial decider when Cork faced Waterford in the 1966 Munster final. He ended the game with his first winners' medal after the 4-09 to 2-09 victory.[1] On 4 September 1966, O'Donoghue lined out in his first All-Ireland final when he was selected at full-back against Kilkenny. His display was described in the Cork Examiner as being "stolid" and he claimed an All-Ireland medal after the 3-09 to 1-10 victory.[2][3]

After surrendering their titles the following season, O'Donoghue lined out in a third Munster final of his career in 1968. He ended the game on the losing side after a 2-13 to 1-07 defeat by Tipperary.

O'Donoghue claimed a National League winners' medal following Cork's 3-12 to 1-14 defeat of Wexford to secure the 1968-69 title. Later that season he won a second Munster Championship medal after a 4-06 to 0-09 defeat of Tipperary in the 1969 Munster final. O'Donoghue made his second appearance in an All-Ireland final on 7 September 1969, however, he ended the game on the losing side after the 2-15 to 2-09 defeat by Kilkenny.[4] His inter-county career ended shortly after this defeat when he failed to be included on the panel for the 1969-70 National League.

O'Donoghue was honoured with selection at full-back on the Munster inter-provincial team for the 1968 Railway Cup. He claimed his first Railway Cup medal that season when Munster defeated Leinster by 0-14 to 0-10 in the final. O'Donoghue was again called up for selection with the Munster team in 1969 and ended the campaign with a second successive Railway Cup medal after a 3-13 to 4-04 replay defeat of Connacht.