We believed coming into game we could topple Kerry - Michael Donoghue 

Michael Donoghue says a year out has left him feeling recharged and refreshed as Donegal look to maintain their stay in the NHL Division 2.

The Galway native was excellent in the side’s 5-14 to 3-16 upsetting of the Kingdom in Letterkenny on Sunday. 

And it’s a crucial win that moves Mickey McCann’s side onto four points, joint second with both Kildare and Meath in the standings. Down continue to lead the way on six. 

Speaking after in Letterkenny, Donoghue says the 2-1 to 1-10 scoreline at the break didn’t worry the hosts as they knew the elements would be in their sails following the restart. 

“It’s massive, it was a great result for us,” he told DonegalLive. “It’s a hundred years since a Munster team was up here so to beat them is special. 

“We felt coming into the game we were in with a shout. We had prepared really well. The first-half was low-scoring but we were content enough, against the breeze at the break. 

“We worked hard and we felt with the wind in our sails in the second-half, we’d be there or thereabouts. 

“The front lads really made hay and the goals we got and points we worked, it was impressive stuff. 

Donoghue reveals that McCann and his backroom team targeted the Kerry rearguard and felt that direct running could unsettle them. 

“What we’d planned to do all week, run at them, it’s great when you see that come off. So the management deserve great credit. 

“Mickey has talked about it previously, playing Joe McDonagh sides, the small and careless stuff is what punishes you at this level. 

“So learning as we go, I think this was the culmination of that. We have to be brave in games and just go for it and we did that today”.

Donoghue sat out last season with work, college commitments and the arrival of a new baby girl with wife Alanah meant something had to give. 

But he says that time on the sidelines has definitely recharged the batteries, both physically and mentally.  

“I took the year out and I definitely feel that bit fresher coming in. It’s a big commitment, inter-county hurling, and a lot of time goes into it. 

“It’s not just the games and the training, that’s the easy part. It’s the other things around all of that that needs juggling. 

“Myself and Alanah had Croíadh there before Christmas, work is busy and I actually went back to college in between all of that. 

“I was straight up with Mickey at the time, I just knew I couldn’t give the commitment that was needed. 

“But I had another wee chat with him before the season started, had a think about and decided that it was doable this time out. So please god we can build on this today”. 

Donegal go away to Kildare next time out before what could be a huge home encounter, with so much on the line, when Derry come to Letterkenny in a fortnight's time.  

“Just staying in this division would be massive and that was the target at the start of the season. 

“We should have got something out of the Meath game at the start of the year. We’re happy with this today but it really will mean nothing if Derry comes here in two weeks time and turn us over.  

“Kildare, we’ll go down there and try to throw the kitchen sink. But we know how important that Derry game will be regardless”.