Draft:Paul O'Donoghue

Paul O'Donoghue was raised in South London, to parents from County Kerry, Ireland. He began his football career playing youth football for Welling United before being signed by Tottenham Hotspur at the age of 16.{{Cite web |title=Up |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/up-2/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}} O'Donoghue later pursued higher education in Ireland. {{Cite web |date=2010-03-10 |title=Well done to our Trench Cup winners |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/lifestyle/well-done-to-our-trench-cup-winners/27392313.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2011-01-19 |title=O'Donoghue linked with move to Stacks |url=https://www.independent.ie/news/odonoghue-linked-with-move-to-stacks/27403163.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}O'Sullivan, M. (2007) 'Gaelic football has a worldwide appeal, The Star, 26 July, p.74.

O'Donoghue joined Tottenham Hotspur's youth setup in 2000 and played regularly for the U-17 and U-19 teams. His impressive performances led him to signing a four year professional contract and being touted as a player with a bright future and a potential first team player within 18 months{{Cite web |title=David Pleat's programme notes v Bolton |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/david-pleats-programme-notes-v-bolton/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}}. He went on to become a regular with the club's reserve team, playing against players such as Dennis Bergkamp{{Cite web |title=spurs (((on!))) res ars |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/spurs-on-res-ars/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Collins |first=J. |date=2007-01-14 |title=O'Donoghue earning his spurs |work=The Irish Post |page=30}} & Wayne Rooney{{Cite web |title=FA YOUTH CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg Everton 2-1 Spurs |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/fa-youth-cup-semi-final-1st-leg-everton-2-1-spurs/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}} and was subsequently included in pre-season friendly matches and testimonials with the first team. {{Cite web |title=Match Report - Colchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - 23 Jul 2002 |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/match-report-colchester-united-v-tottenham-hotspur-23-jul-2002/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Report: QPR 3-2 Spurs |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/report-qpr-3-2-spurs/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Match Report - Watford v Tottenham Hotspur - 03 Aug 2002 |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/match-report-watford-v-tottenham-hotspur-03-aug-2002/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Paul O'Donoghue and Tottenham Hotspur - Matches |url=https://thfcdb.com/people/paul-odonoghue/matches |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=thfcdb.com |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Match Report - Gillingham v Tottenham Hotspur - 27 Jul 2002 |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/match-report-gillingham-v-tottenham-hotspur-27-jul-2002/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}} O'Donoghue made three senior appearances in total for Tottenham, with his senior team debut coming against Colchester in July 2002 Goodwin, B. (2017) The Spurs Alphabet. Hertfordshire: Robwin Publishing House.. Despite his potential, O'Donoghue suffered several serious injuries which curtailed his progress{{Cite web |title=LIVE COMMENTARY |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/live-commentary-1/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Paul pulls through |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/paul-pulls-through/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=One in the eye for Paul |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/one-in-the-eye-for-paul/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}} and he did not make any competitive first-team appearances and was loaned out to Hornchurch,{{Cite web |title=Slabber to Swindon |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/slabber-to-swindon/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Tottenham Hotspur |language=en}} where he gained experience in non-league football.

After leaving Tottenham, O'Donoghue retired from professional football in his early 20's to pursue a university education, despite interest from several League 2 and Conference clubs.{{cite news |last=Sweeney |first=P. |date=2007-07-26 |title=O'Donoghue Eager to Prove Himself in GAA |work=The Star |page=57}}

O'Donoghue represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 level.

In addition to his football career, O'Donoghue has a strong connection to Gaelic football. He played for London GAA in the All-Ireland Championship and for Kerry GAA in the McGrath Cup. Following the 2010 Kerry Championship he was among five players expected to make their National League debuts that year. {{cite news |last=Murphy |first=M. |date=2010-01-05 |title=Wannabe Kerry stars ready to seize the day |work=The Kingdom |page=79}}{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=P. |date=2010-01-20 |title=Jack is back but McGrath Cup may fall foul of weather again |work=The Kerryman |page=86}} In 2010, he also earned a Sigerson Cup All Star, alongside Kerry players Shane Enright and Johnny Buckley.{{cn}}

After retiring from football, O'Donoghue pursued a career in education. He completed both his Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in Ireland. and has now become an Assistant Principal at a school in South London, where he is responsible for overseeing student behaviour.

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