The 19-year old still has his feet on the ground, even after the weirdest month of his life…
Shane O’Donnell is a very impressive young man. At 19, I was a bit of a gobshite, and many would argue I still am. But 19-year-old me had done practically nothing, and many would argue… well you can guess the rest.
Anyway, at that tender age, O’Donnell has scored a hat-trick in an All-Ireland final, become one of the most famous young sportspeople in the country and amassed over 13,000 followers on Twitter.
Over the last month his life has become very hectic indeed but when we spoke to him in Dublin, he was as calm as he was as he looked when he was rattling the ball past Anthony Nash in Croke Park last month.
We asked him first about an initiative he was very passionate about, Bord Gais Networks’ Science Forward.
Shane O’Donnell: It’s all about trying to get people to take up science and make sure they continue it through secondary school and into college. I personally wanted to get involved in this as there is a lack of qualified people in the country for specific roles and we are having to bring people in from abroad to fill jobs. That’s not ideal.
JOE: You’re in your second year of a degree in genetics at UCC right now, what attracted you to the world of science and what would you like to do once you graduate?
SO’D: Once I started doing chemistry and biology in secondary school I just loved it, they just clicked. I did, and still do, enjoy them as subjects. As for afterwards, I’d love to do cancer research from a genetic perspective and look into how genetics can cause certain diseases.
JOE: But we guess school has taken a back seat of late, how have the last four weeks been?
SO’D: It’s been all over the place. You don’t know what is going to happen from one day to the next. I’ve been trying to calm it down and get back into college but it has been hard. I’m in Cork during the week so I’m missing some of the madness back home but sure everyone in Cork was as into the hurling this year as Clare people were so I have been getting little sly looks and the odd comment here. Nothing nasty but it’s still a bit weird.
JOE: Can you confirm that Davy Fitzgerald only told you two hours before throw-in that you were starting and how you dealt with that.
SO’D: Yes, it is true. I was absolutely delighted, and so excited, and to be honest with you I didn’t really have time to get nervous.
JOE: A smart move by Davy then, if had named you on the Friday, would you have been too nervous?
SO’D: Oh yeah. I had an unreal night’s sleep the night before the game, which is unusual for me as I usually find it hard to sleep before games between nerves and overthinking things. In hindsight it was a genius move by Davy.
JOE: Often players talk about big games being a blur. What are your memories of the final like?
SO’D: I remember it alright but I mainly remember the things I did wrong, the balls I didn’t convert into anything. I think most players remember the things they did wrong far more than the things that went right. You have to be your own worst critic.
JOE: You must have watched the video back to see all the things that did go right though?
SO’D: I haven’t watched it yet. I had planned to watch it this week but it didn’t work out. I am really looking forward to it. My father has watched it at least every second day since.
JOE: Speaking of your family, I spoke to your brother Oisin the day after the final, when the picture of him in tears because of how proud he was of you, was sent into us. How did you feel when you saw the picture?
SO’D: On the train back to Clare the next day Podge Collins brought over his phone to show me the picture. If people are proud of you, they don’t usually say it or show it but it was so overtly proud it was strange but it meant the world to me. He’s going to be in Israel for a while yet, and I miss him as we get on very well.
JOE: Now that you mention Podge Collins, have you gotten him back yet for THAT tweet referencing Ruby Walsh?
SO’D: [Laughs] I haven’t actually but I’ll let you know when I do. I’ll do my best to match him, as he nearly ruined me with that [more laughs].
JOE: And how busy is your mother fielding calls from admirers from every corner of the country?
SO’D: [Laughs] That is one aspect of the last few weeks that has been blown out of all proportion. Everyone might be a bit more interested than they were before but I wouldn’t say it is affecting me too much. My day to day life is nothing like that GOAL picture. Thank God!
JOE: Davy was such a big part of Clare’s success this year, what’s it like to play for him?
SO’D: It’s great. He’s not just a brilliant trainer, he’s a man manager too. He makes sure everyone is getting on fine, looks after any personal problems lads may have and all that’s sort of stuff really helps. And the fact he is staying on is great, you want a winning group to stay together.
JOE: Finally, what’s the plan now, is there any talk of getting back into training yet?
SO’D: Davy has given us a break, and he’ll let us know. I’d imagine it won’t be too long until we get back into some lighter stuff, gym work maybe. We haven’t any confirmation of anything yet.
JOE: Make sure you enjoy yourself anyway.
SO’D: I will, I will.
JOE: Thanks for your time. Cheers
SO’D: No bother.
