Tom O'Donoghue was an old school defender who delivered for Sars and Cork
Tom O'Donoghue anchored the Rebel side that defeated Kilkenny in the 1966 All-Ireland, a huge shock at the time and considered one of the county's sweetest ever victories. That team contained three McCarthys: Gerald, the captain, Justin and Charlie. The Liam McCarthy Cup at Greenmount in 1966. Back: Gerald McCarthy who captained Cork in 1966, accompanied by Peter Doolan, Tom O'Donoghue, Tony Connolly and Charlie McCarthy. Pictured in back row are Liam McGrath, and brothers Justin, Walter, Conleth and Ailbe.
All-Ireland medal winners pictured at Dunlops in 1970. Tom O'Donoghue, Johnny Clifford, Jimmy Brohan, Billy Campbell, Micka Brennan, Billy Murphy, Derry Hayes and Joe Twomey.
The Sars club man, who hurled for Mayfield in his youth, was a Cork minor in 1958 before making his senior debut in '64.
He was hard as nails, in an era when every number three had to be, and his duels with Tipp's Seán McLoughlin were legendary. O'Donoghue also won two Railway Cup medals with Munster, succeeding iconic figures Austin Flynn (Waterford) and Mick Maher (Tipp) in the full-back berth.
Sars' Jim Murphy paid tribute to an "outstanding servant".
"He gave great service to the club all the way through his career. He protected every goalkeeper he stood in front of, and when he played, that was very important and not easy to do. He was an outstanding servant to his club and county."
