Niall Donohue (also spelled Donoghue) (25 October 1990 − 23 October 2013)[1] was an Irish hurler who played at senior level for the Galway senior team.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Niall Ó Donnchú | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Left half back (No7) | ||
| Born | 25 October 1990 Kilbeacanty, County Galway, Ireland | ||
| Died | 23 October 2013 (aged 22) | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
2007–2013 | Kilbeacanty | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Galway titles | 0 | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
2012–2013 | Galway | 7 (0-1) | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Leinster titles | 1 | ||
| All-Irelands | 1 (U21) | ||
| NHL | 0 | ||
| All Stars | 0 | ||
Early life and career
editBorn in Kilbeacanty, County Galway, Donohue first played competitive hurling while at school in Gort Community School. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Galway minor team, before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut in the 2012 National Hurling League. Donohue played a key part for Galway over the following two seasons, and won one Leinster medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion. He was also nominated for an All Star this year.[when?] Throughout his career Donohue made eight championship appearances.[citation needed]
As a member of the Connacht inter-provincial team for two successive years, Donohue unsuccessfully contested two Railway Cup finals. At club level he played with Kilbeacanty.[citation needed]
Death
editDonohue was found dead in his home on 23 October 2013, two days before his 23rd birthday.[1] His death brought the topic of suicide into public consciousness.[3] His funeral was attended by a large number of mourners from the GAA community across the country, including his Galway teammates. A number of other figures in the GAA, such as the Kilkenny manager Brian Cody and the association president Liam O'Neill, called to the Donohue family home to pay their respects.[4]
In 2017 following Galway's win at the All-Ireland Hurling final, winning captain David Burke paid tribute to Donohue in his winner's speech stating: "One other person I can't let today pass without mentioning: He was soldiering with us for years, a good friend of mine and first cousin of Conor Whelan, he passed away in 2013. Niall Donohue, we'll never forget him and we'll remember him today."[5]
References
edit- ^ a b Ó Caollaí, Éanna (24 October 2013). "Galway hurler Niall Donohue dies suddenly aged 22". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- "Galway hurling star Niall Donohue (22) dies suddenly". Irish Independent. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013. - ^ "Player profiles: Niall Donoghue". Galway Hurling Supporters Club website. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Niall Donoghue's cousin urges young people to reach out if they need to talk about problems". Mirror. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ Siggins, Lorna (28 October 2013). "Smiles among the tears as hurler Niall Donohue is laid to rest: Community asked to look out for signs of difficulty in others". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- Crawford, Caroline (27 October 2013). "Farewell Niall Donohue: A thousand descend on Galway for hurler's funeral". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 October 2013. - ^ "Galway captain remembers absent heroes in passionate acceptance speech". The 42. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.