Pat Spillane said today on The Sunday Game that Kieran Donaghy has been "reborn again" this year, which will give you an idea as to how many times Star has been written off, only to return to form.
By 2014, Donaghy had been written off again, and had only a handful of Championship minutes to his name by the time the competition was whittled down to the final four. Eamonn Fitzmaurice, however, decided to unleash him on Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final, and Donaghy had an All-Star within a few weeks.
Donaghy was crucial in sealing a draw in that game - Kerry were six points down when he came on - and then used the frenzied seconds after full-time to lay a marker for the replay.
Having seen Aidan O'Shea goading David Moran after Mayo hit a six-point lead, Donaghy decided to knock the Mayo star down a notch or two ahead of the replay.
He tells the story in his brilliant, award-winning autobiography, What Do You Think Of That?
Aidan is more talented and more high-profile than his brother who just made the last catch of the game, but when I clasp his hand, I look him dead in the eye. ‘Well done, Seamus.’ He looks back, confused, as if to say, ‘I’m Aidan.’ But I’ve already moved on. I’ve to get ready for Limerick.
Well played, and proof that Donaghy just doesn't switch off.
