Sport

Where are they now - Former Tyrone player Plunkett Donaghy

Plunkett Donaghy played for Tyrone from 1982 until 1995
Plunkett Donaghy played for Tyrone from 1982 until 1995 Plunkett Donaghy played for Tyrone from 1982 until 1995

PLUNKETT DONAGHY

Age: 54

Club: Tir na nOg, Moy

When did you play for Tyrone?


1982-1995

What do you do nowadays?


I work for my own company, PD Construction - I’ve been in the construction business since I left school. We’re a smallish outfit, doing one-off houses, smaller developments. I’m up at 6.15am every day, working on site wind, hail or shine then a bit of book-work when I get home in the evening.

Are you still involved in Gaelic football?


Just as a spectator.

What do you remember about your first game for Tyrone?


Believe it or not, my first game in a Tyrone jersey was a friendly between us and Armagh in 1983. I started off playing full-forward, but ended up coming out to midfield when Patsy Kerr had to come off injured. I stayed there then for basically the rest of my career.

What’s your best memory?


Playing in the All-Ireland final in 1986 was the highlight. It was a breakthrough - the first semi-final we’d ever won, so it felt like we’d got a monkey off our backs.

And the worst?


The same day.

Are you glad you played in your era rather than today?


Yes, definitely. They were great times and we brought the county on a lot. I think the game was really starting to change then because it was around that time the Aussies first came over for a Compromise Rules test.


When we went to Australia in 1986, we were staying with the host clubs around Melbourne and they had fantastic set-ups. We were shocked.


You have to bear in mind where I came from - we were putting cattle off a field to play a match and then you go to Australia and you have six physios and two doctors, a warm-up gym… it was so professional. I think that was really the start of the GAA getting really serious.

How would you have fared in today’s game?


I actually think the modern game would have suited me okay because of the amount of running that’s involved. I did a lot of middle-distance athletics in my early days and it gave me a great start when it came to playing football.

Any regrets?


No regrets. I was only too glad to do it and I would do it all again.