NEW Dublin hurling boss Niall Ó Ceallacháin has been dealt an early blow after defender Eoghan O’Donnell opted to switch codes.
The Whitehall Colmcilles man is set for another stint with the Sky Blues’ footballers, having made a temporary switch in 2022 after the hurlers exited the Championship.
2
As a key member of the side that reached this year’s Leinster SHC final.
He is sure to be a significant loss to Ó Ceallacháin as he takes the reins from Micheál Donoghue.
The Dubs gaffer told the Irish Independent: “Eoghan has been very up front.
“And he’s had an itch for a long time to have a go at the football and he has taken that opportunity now.
“We wish him well, the footballers well and we will be getting on with things.”
O’Donnell, 29, was introduced as a second-half sub by Dessie Farrell in the 2022 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final win over Cork.
He did not feature in the semi-final loss to Kerry.
Speaking in December of that year, he admitted that he would ‘strongly consider’ another football call-up if one materialised.
The former Dublin hurling captain said: “A big thing is that I’d really want to know what my role was going in this time.
“I felt I could have maybe added value in certain games that I didn’t get an opportunity in, so it was a massive time commitment.
“Players want to play and I’m sure there were a lot of lads disappointed not to get some game time.
“Dessie has to pick his best team to get across the line and he’s someone I have massive respect for. He’s someone I get on very well with.”
