Eamonn Keogh recalls the late Caoimhin O’Donoghue’s outstanding contribution to basketball in Killarney
A real air of sadness descended on Killarney this Thursday morning following news of the death of popular and well-known local man Caoimhin O’Donoghue.
St Paul’s Basketball Club was fortunate to benefit from Caoimhin’s dedication, commitment and expertise for many years when he served in many roles as a player, coach and officer.
Caoimhin burst on the scene as a talented teenage prospect in the late 1980s and early 1990s and enjoyed great success with St Paul’s underage teams. He was part of a strong St Paul’s team that came very close to qualifying for an Under 19 National Cup final in 1993 and the 1993-94 season was also the inaugural one for the club’s entry to senior national league basketball and Caoimhin was delighted to make his debut at this level, lining out alongside his brother Cormac.
A larger-than-life character, Caoimhin’s teammates and friends in basketball circles were affectionately calling him ’Shaq’ at that stage. Those who didn’t understand the significance of the name were reminded about Caoimhin’s dominant style of play on the court which was similar to that enjoyed by NBA superstar Shaquille ‘Shaq’ O’Neal.
In the 1994-95 season St Paul’s, playing under the Kerry Spring banner, were crowned national league division one champions and Caoimhin played a very significant role in that campaign throughout the season and, with his brother Cormac captaining the team, it was a great family success story.
Promotion to the Superleague followed in 1995 and Caoimhin continued to line out at that level with various St Paul’s teams.
He also served for many years coaching club teams at senior and underage levels in men’s and ladies’ categories. Caoimhin was a great right-hand man, sounding board and assistant coach to his brother Cormac with the St Paul’s Superleague teams playing under the Gleneagle and Mustangs banner in the mid 2000s. An extremely popular figure, Caoimhin’s sense of fun and good nature always contributed to a great bond among players, coaches and officials.
Visiting teams, coaches and officials to Killarney over the years quickly got to know and like Caoimhin and, in many cases, several lasting friendships were formed.
Many people in Irish basketball circles outside Killarney might not instantly recognise the name Caoimhin but it’s fair to say that the vast majority knew ‘Shaq in Killarney’.
Off the court, Caoimhin was a dedicated volunteer and officer with St Paul’s for several years. If a job needed to be done, Caoimhin always put his shoulder to the wheel for the greater good of the club.
He was active in fundraising activities, the recruitment of American players and his passion for the success and progress of Killarney basketball was always evident.
He was a great man to have a chat with about club activities, the state of basketball in Killarney and what could be done to improve anything.
His analysis and opinions were always sharp ,accurate and positive.
Well known through his security work with a number of local businesses, most recently he worked in the Killarney Park Hotel. Despite suffering ill health in recent times, Caoimhin was still a familiar face at St Paul’s national league games right up to the end of the season that just finished.
St Paul’s Basketball Club extends sincere condolences to all of Caoimhin’s family and friends at this sad time.
Predeceased, in December 2007, by his father Timmy, Caoimhin O’Donoghue is survived by his mother Margaret, brothers Shane, Cormac and Tim and sister Sheena and extended family.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
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