From County Louth in Ireland, Donnelly started playing at Glenelg’s reserves in 2009 up forward where he made great progress in learning the game and developing his skills.
During the 2010 pre-season he moved to Central District where he became a tall defender in their reserves side and was not far away from a league berth.
Unfortunately injury and homesickness cut short his Australian Rules career but Donnelly takes home with him an invaluable experience.
afc.com.au caught up with the Irishman before he headed home to resume his Gaelic Football career and begin a university degree...
How long have you been thinking about the decision and how hard was it?
“I’ve probably been thinking about it since I came over here since day one. I wasn’t regretting anything, I was wondering whether I had made the right decision. When I got my shoulder done and I had my knee problems, maybe two months ago I started weighing up whether I would go home this year. When I finally got the operation done I knew I had to make the call.”
It has been made tougher especially with the run of injuries you have had since being here?
“That has been a big part in me making my decision. Also I want to play Gaelic at home, and homesickness is a bit of a factor too.”
You’ve fitted in here at the club and into the Australian lifestyle really well, you’ve seemed to have a really enjoyable experience?
“I’ve really enjoyed being over here. It’s going to be hard to leave here no doubt, but I am looking forward to getting home.”
You took a big risk coming over here and it has been tough, but you must be proud of the decision and your efforts?
“I have no regrets and I am happy with the decision to come over here. If I go back two years I would do exactly the same thing again.”
What have you learnt about yourself during this whole experience?
“I can stand on my own two feet now living away from home for two years. That has been a good learning experience. Meeting new people has been really good for me. The friends I have made over here have been amazing.”
What will you take from the experience of training and playing at an AFL club?
“I’ll be able to train hard when I go home and I didn’t do weights before I came over here so I’ll be able to get bigger and stronger. It has definitely helped me living the professional lifestyle. Thing like how to take care of my body, my diet, are all things that will benefit me when I go home.”
Who has had the biggest influence on you in your time here?
“Everybody really has had some influence, but I guess the main person is Peter Jonas, he has helped me massively. ‘Tippo’ has helped me a fair bit, my mentor Scott Stevens, Craigy has done work with me too and all the coaches as well, and also Tate Kaesler.”
Do you have any particular favourite or funny memories from your time here?
“The first few weeks I was here I got my feet sunburnt really badly and I couldn’t train for two weeks! Also the 'Crushers Camp' in 2008 was a funny experience, when I saw an emu and I thought it was a huge chicken!”
You have lived with Kurt Tippett, how was that?
“He has been really good for me, we get on like a house on fire, and he is a great fella. I can’t dig up too much unfortunately, he is a good cook and I can’t find any faults with him. If I had any I would tell you but I can’t!”
What’s the plan for when you get back to Ireland?
“I’ll have to get the shoulder right which is six months in rehab then I’ll go play football at County Louth and get a degree at uni. I want to do something in sport at uni but I’m not too sure, I haven’t looked at it yet but I know I’ll do something around the sport area.”
Do you move back into home with the family?
“Yeah, I move back with Mum and Dad so I’ll see how that goes after living on my own for two years! I’ll go back home for a while anyway.”
Do you think you will come back and visit us?
“I’ll definitely come back, probably next year or the year after for a visit. Hopefully I can get a few of the boys over to Ireland next year, a few of them are keen to come visit.”
Is there a message you could send any other Irish hopefuls who come over to Australia to try and forge a career?
“Homesickness is tough but you have good support networks around you and good people around you. I’d definitely encourage people to do it, it has been a great experience.”
