Stephen McDonnell (hurler)

Stephen McDonnell (born 28 January 1989) is an Irish hurler who plays as a left corner-back for the Cork senior team.^[1]

Born in Blackpool, Cork, McDonnell first excelled at hurling in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of eighteen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later lining out with the under-21 side. He made his senior debut in the 2011 National Hurling League. McDonnell has since gone on to play a key part in defence for Cork and has won one Munster medal. He has been an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

At club level McDonnell plays with Glen Rovers.

Playing career

Club

McDonnell enjoyed his first successes with Glen Rovers as an underage player, winning two under-16 and minor championship medals. As a member of the Glen's under-21 team, McDonnell won a championship medal in that grade following a 5-15 to 2-18 replay defeat of Duhallow.

By 2010 McDonnell was a member of the Glen Rovers senior team that qualified for the final of the senior championship. Reigning champions Sarsfield's provided the opposition and went on to retain their title with a narrow 1-17 to 0-18 victory.^[2]

Inter-county

McDonnell first arrived on the inter-county scene when he captained the Cork minor team in 2007. In spite of an 0-18 to 1-11 defeat by Tipperary in the Munster decider, the sides later faced off against each other in the All-Ireland final. McDonnell started that game on the bench, but was introduced as a substitute in Cork's 3-14 to 2-11 defeat.^[3]

As a member of the Cork under-21 team, McDonnell enjoyed three years without success.

McDonnell made his senior debut on 13 February 2011 in a 1-20 to 1-15 defeat of Offaly in the National Hurling League.^[4] He subsequently joined Cork's championship team, making his debut on 29 May 2011 in a 3-22 to 0-23 Munster quarter-final defeat by Tipperary.

On 14 July 2013 McDonnell lined out in his first Munster decider, however, Cork faced a 0-24 to 0-15 defeat by Limerick.^[5] On 8 September 2013 McDonnell lined out against Clare in his first All-Ireland final. Three second-half goals through Conor Lehane, Anthony Nash and Pa Cronin, and a tenth point of the game from Patrick Horgan gave Cork a one-point lead as injury time came to an end. A last-gasp point from corner-back Domhnall O'Donovan earned Clare a 0-25 to 3-16 draw.^[6] The replay on 28 September was regarded as one of the best in recent years. Clare's Shane O'Donnell was a late addition to the team, and went on to score a hat-trick of goals in the first nineteen minutes of the game. Patrick Horgan top scored for Cork, however, further goals from Conor McGrath and Darach Honan secured a 5-16 to 3-16 victory for Clare.^[7]

McDonnell won his first Munster medal in 2014, as goals by Séamus Harnedy and Paudie O'Sullivan gave Cork a 2-24 to 0-24 victory over Limerick.^[8]

Honours

Team

Glen Rovers

• Cork Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2008
• Cork Minor Hurling Championship (2): 2005, 2006

Cork

• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2014

References