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19th September 2018
07:18pm BST
"There was a lot of very good full-backs that I came up against and I wouldn't want to do any of them the injustice by naming one over the other because some of them were unbelievabe," said Donaghy. "But what I found tougher more than the toughest full-back was the toughest defensive team, as in a team that defended as a unit and as a back six that help each other and leave their own men and go after the ball and hunt in packs. "The Tyrone team of 2005 to 2008 would be like that along with the current Dublin team in that they're all excellent defenders by themselves. "Then they throw in the dynamic of always being in the right position and always knowing when to leave their man and go help somebody else, knowing that there is rotation there... there was a great understanding between both teams. "They were probably the toughest I found to go against and you'd land and there would be another two guys there. It was just very hard to negotiate both those systems really."Donaghy had a unique way of retiring from the game and confirmed that he would be hanging up his boots in the form of a poem.
"Kerry I thank you… Up to Croker in ‘97, my dream it began Standing in the Nally, I said ‘Maybe I can’ The famine was ended and Kerry were back As a minor four years later, I’d give it a crack Thank god I’m from Kerry, we sure are the best History, tradition, st Brendan on the crest I played right on the edge, not a backward step taken Will I ever apologise? You must be mistaken By God, it was special, the Green and Gold on my back I did my job well, in the air I’d attack, To the jersey I love you, I wore you with pride Didn’t win them all but so hard I tried. The future is exciting, we must support our team It’s been so emotional and we’ve shared the dream That’s a big part of it, that’s what we’re about It’s the jersey, it’s Kerry, It’s ‘Up the Kingdom!’ we shout I’ll never forget ye, ye know who ye are Bonded forever, on the pitch, at the bar We climbed all the mountains, they look good from the top Celtic crosses in our pockets, those memories won’t stop. Fitzgerald stadium was home, it’s where I kicked my last ball After hugging my brothers, the tears did fall I shouldn’t be sad, we were good for each other Now's the right time to hand it to another The next chapter is here. Oh I can’t wait No ifs, no buts, only total faith Hilary, Lola Rose and Indie by my side Made it a no brainer to eventually decide My Kerry, my Family, my Mom and my Nan Donaghys, Fitzgeralds and the O’Connors are my clan, This sums up my journey and one thing’s for sure, In the words of John B, ‘I’m one lucky hoor’" Fair play Kieran. Can we now start calling him the Seamus Heaney of the GAA world?
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