Marc O'Donnell putting the ball over the black spot in the semi-final vs ClarecastleToday’s man in the spotlight is Marc O’Donnell. Marc is the eldest of the O’Donnell clan followed by Oisin, Shane and Cillian – all wore the red shirt of Eire Og with distinction. Obviously, the limelight will always be on Shane as a county player and in the form of his life. But Marc’s achievements alone are no mean feat by anybody’s standards. This year alone Marc has turned out with distinction for both the club’s senior and junior hurlers, often within the same 24-hour period without any compliant.
On a personal front, Marc is married to Breige and they have a beautiful 10-month-old baby that won the Bonnie Baby competition at the recent Eire Og Family Day as well as being the Head of eCommerce for Dubarry up in Galway. Unlike some of his peers from 2018, Marc is soft-spoken and lets his hurling do the talking on the field. Through his excellent scoring form this year, he has been subject to some robust attention and tackling from the opposition, but Marc has shown great example to the young lads from the Academy by just focusing on his own game and hurting the opposition by continuing to put the ball between the posts regardless.
Marc, Breige and the Bonnie BabyBest known as a tight marking defender in his earlier career and captain of the 2018 Junior A winning team, Marc has been rejuvenated as a free scoring forward lately. Mark has been deadly accurate this year from both play and placed balls with the pinnacle being the goal that he grabbed in the semi-final against Clarecastle – Andrew McElwee pulled in a diagonal ball and turned his man in a deft move, Andrew ran at the Magpie’s defence causing panic while the ball bounced loose across the square, Marc pulled first-time (old style) and left the opposing keeper rooted to the spot as there was nothing he could do about the blistering shot except pick it out of the back of the net afterwards. No blowing kisses to the crowd for Marc, just back to his position for the resulting puckout – modest as usual.
Marc vs Crusheen Marc, like all the O’Donnell’s are great supporters of the club and all our initiatives. Marc’s parents, Mary & Martin set a great example in this regard with Martin most recently coaching the Eire Og Camogie team while Mary is a regular volunteer for club activities with both ever present at all Eire Og matches.
Why not come join Marc and the O’Donnell clan in Tulla this Saturday for the Junior A hurling final vs St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield at 1.30 pm. Hopefully, Marc’s Bonnie Baby winner will make a guest appearance too and will be pictured with the cup and her happy parents afterwards. Here’s Marc O’Donnell -
1. Name – Marc O’Donnell
2. Position – Wing-back
3. Occupation/Career – Head of eCommerce, Dubarry of Ireland
4. Date of Birth/Age - 35 - 1987
5. When did you start hurling – Celbridge u6, 1992ish. Senior with Eire Og 2004
6. Biggest influence on your career to date – The auld lad, Martin
7. When did you start playing with Eire Og – 1995, not a bad year to move to Clare
8. Cups/trophies to date – Clare U15a with Eire Og 2002, Flannan’s Munster Schools U15 in 2002, Flannan’s Harty cup 04,05 & All Ireland Colleges in 2005, Senior B, Intermediate and Junior a championship with Eire Og
9. Have you played for Clare/intercounty – no
10. Favorite thing about Eire Og – Other clubs are always up for it to beat the Townies!
11. What other sports have/do you play (besides hurling)- Football, Soccer, Squash & Golf
12. What's your favorite TV show/film- The Wire
13. Favorite music – Hans Zimmer & Ennio Morricone epic movie scores
14. Favorite meal – Rare Steak, onions, mushrooms, pepper sauce, chips & a glass of wine
15. What 3 people, alive or dead, would you invite for a drink & why – Lala, Jim Newt & Bobby Bouche. If it’s not broken…
16. What would you change about the current GAA & why – Referees should be paid better, respected more & then held to a higher standard
17. What are your hobbies and interests outside the GAA – We have a 10-month-old baby at home, which is all consuming for Breige & I.
18. What's the best piece of advice you ever received – Looking interested is as important as being interested
19. What's your favorite sporting memory – Shane in 2013
20. In 5 years’, time I hope to be – Starting on the Senior team
Marc doing what he does best - putting the ball over the bar. 
