Steven McDonnell on taking inspiration from the games best.

Steven McDonnell on taking inspiration from the games best.

By Steven Kelly. 03-09-2021

Steven McDonnell, or Stevie from Killeavy as he is effectively-known, is one of the finest forwards to have ever graced Gaelic football. The Armagh man was a key figure behind the Orchard counties rise to supremacy in the early 2000s and was a key instigator in his sides All- Ireland win over Kerry back in 2002, the counties first ever All-Ireland victory. Steven talks fondly about his upbringing and introduction to Gaelic games. “I came from a fairly normal family. I was the youngest of the lot. I would have been dragged to a lot of training and matches in Killeavy which is where I grew up. It is a small community in County Armagh. The local pitch was only a couple of 100 yards away from where we lived at the time. I would have played on a lot of underage teams with my 2 older brothers and we would have enjoyed a lot of success from u10, the whole way up along. We actually used to beat the mighty Crossmaglen, before they started dominating football on a national level. The lads that I played with are still my closest friends to this day. I think what helped me develop quickly was my ability to kick off both feet. A man in the local area called Tomas Mallon helped me at u12 level to practice and as I got older it definitely stood to me. This progressed into u14 level and he encouraged us all religiously to kick off both feet and use both hands.”

McDonnell always had a way of winning primary possession and this came from hard graft both on and off the field. “I can remember watching that great Down team of 1981 and they came down over the border. I was only an 11 year old at the time and I got a lot of inspiration from seeing that team win an All-Ireland title. Ulster football was going through a golden generation at that time and Down and Derry both won titles in the ’90s, so it definitely inspired me to want to play at a high level. It was definitely a great memory I had as a child. I only lived a short distance from the Carrighill hotel, so getting to see success makes you want to have it yourself I guess. I have to say my favourite player when I was growing up was Jack O’Shea of Kerry. He had everything and I remember I just wanted to be him. I pretended to be him, even out in the garden with my brothers. He was the finest midfielder of all time. I had huge admiration for him. Funny enough he presented us with a set of Ireland jersey’s when I was the captain of the Ireland International rules team. We were staying in Carton House at the time. As captain, I had to make a speech. Jacko said he was nervous, but if anything as players we were more nervous being in front of such a legend of the game. To have met him was a huge honour.”

Being from a county like Armagh which is quite small, club football rivalry was ever-present. McDonnell himself doesn’t feel as though it ever got in the way of performing at inter-county level. “Our rivals now would be Dromintee. We always had huge battles over the years. Obviously then Crossmaglen Rangers were always up there in terms of winning championships. Our end goal with Armagh would always have been the same, so I don’t feel as though it ever affected the camp at all. As I have said, we would have dominated underage football in Killeavy and won a fair few underage titles. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to beat Crossmaglen at senior level. In 2014 we drew but lost the replay. I would have played against a lot of the county lads at club level. The likes of Paul Hearty, Andy Mallon, Francie Bellew and the McEntee brothers. As competitive as the club scene was, we all got on well and the end goal with Armagh for us was wanting success and that was hugely important.”

Having burst on the Armagh senior squad in the late 1990s, Steven remembers fondly being involved with the side and how his confidence helped him reach the next level. “I was fortunate enough to have played 2 years with the minor side. I played 4 years of under 21 level with Armagh. I was brought in as a 17-year-old, so I was still developing at the time. In my first year, I was asked to take the frees. The senior call up came in December 1998. I was in New York at the time. I came home for Christmas and word got out that I was home. I was approached and asked to join the panel. As a 19-year-old, I was more than delighted. I was asked to go into a training session on a Sunday morning. I remember I was late. I went in and saw players like Jard Burns and Kieran MaGeeney that had represented Armagh for years. It was definitely an amazing experience for me. Within 6 months I got my hands on an Ulster title. Many players before me had won nothing, so I considered myself very lucky. I got the bug and it was the start of a golden age in a way.”

McDonnell was known as an ace footballer. He was known as a skilful player and hardworking individual, who did his utmost best. “I was used as a cornerback in my first appearances believe it or not. I would say my key attributes as a player would have been that I was a hard worker. The fact I was relatively quick and could kick off both feet definitely stood to me.” Steven was instrumental in his sides 1-12 0-14 win over a talented Kerry side in the 2002 All-Ireland final. The win was years in the making having lost out in previous semi-finals, by the slimmest of margins to both Meath and Kerry in succession. “That All-Ireland was many years in the making. We lost out in the previous semi-finals, so we were relieved to finally get over the line. The final itself was a bit of a blur. I remember the build-up to it was huge. You try to keep yourself as relaxed as possible. I remember the relief at the final whistle. Joe Kiernan had done a lot of work in instilling self-belief into the side. He helped us believe that we could fulfil our potential. Oisin Mcconville got the goal and I landed a few frees. That was a fine Kerry side. It definitely gave us huge confidence. Some players would have gotten wound up before big games. I wouldn’t have been a superstitious player at all. Maybe just putting the right boot on first, but that was about the height of it really.”

Watch the man himself talking about the glory days of Armagh football here

.https://youtu.be/xjazrdqFhdc

In terms of man-marking Steven has views on the tight marking defenders he came up against over the years. “Sean Marty Lockhart of Derry was a particular player I didn't like facing. He had the art of defending down to a tee. What about the rule changes today? “In terms of the game today I don’t like the rule changes at all. The forward winning possession was something I loved. I think the rules are pointless. Why do we have to have the game so stop-start? I coach a team and wouldn’t encourage the calling of the mark whatsoever. It kills momentum and isn’t what football is really about. Take your man on and score. I don’t know if the GAA would ever go professional. I wouldn’t say the funding is there at the minute.”

McDonnell is not only an Armagh legend but is a huge follower of Liverpool. “If I had a dinner party I would definitely invite Jurgen Klopp. I find him fascinating. I am a coach myself now, but long-term I don’t necessarily see myself being a high-level coach. The demands placed on coaching at inter-county level is equal to that of a full-time job, so I am not sure if I could give that commitment level right now. I am over 10 years out of the inter-county game and enjoy having more free time.” Whatever Stephen McDonnell has in store next, it is fair to say that he will go down in Armagh folklore, as one of the game's best. Having won 3 All-Star awards, Ulster championships, that All-Ireland in 2002 and captained Ireland on the international stage, McDonnell has acquitted himself admirably over his long and illustrious career.