Martin O'Donoghue
About Us
Martin O'Donoghue R.I.P.
The death occurred recently of Martin O'Donoghue who was a member of Highfield Squash for many years. A great lover of Hurling - be it Passage, The Barrs or Cork he started his involvement in squash at The Orchard back in the 70s. The Orchard's loss was certainly our gain when he moved to Highfield in the late 70's.
He described himself as an average squash player but there was nothing 'average' about his mastery of squash administration, refereeing or coaching.
On our past captains page you'll see that Martin was Club Captain back in 1980-81 and 1981-82. He was a central figure in both Cork Squash organising Leagues, and also at Munster Squash where the focus was on running the Munster Senior, Masters and Junior Open and Closed competitions. He served as President of both organisations and I recall his determination to solve whatever problems arose on the basis of what was to the benefit of the players rather than what suited regulations or administration concerns.
In the refereeing sphere in the 1980s and 1990s he was the Munster representative on the Irish Squash (as it was then) Refereeing & Marking Committee. Many of us will recall his refereeing courses long before the internet and online interaction. The Club Grade courses, meant to be 3 two-hour sessions, couldn't contain Martin's enthusiasm and three or even four hour sessions wouldn't be unheard of! Once, when there was something on in the bar at the club, we arranged to meet in Martin McDonnell's house in Kenley and we'd be there still if Adrienne hadn't thrown us out! Joking aside, his knowledge, experience, energy and enthusiasm for helping players to grasp the intricacies of the rules was unique. We won't mention the foot-fault!
One well-known story relating to Martin and refereeing describes where, in a league match at Highfield, on making a 'No-Let' decision the aggrieved player complained "But Martin, you would have got that yourself!" earning the response "I might have got to it or I mightn't have. The question is, would YOU have got to it. No Let!"
On Saturdays and Wednesdays over at least the 1980s and 1990s, Martin coached juniors who will remember how he helped them make that craved-for progression from Court 3 beginners to the prestige of playing on Court 1 with the top players. His endless patience and tact in dealing with all of those juniors was exceptional. Though Martin could be direct and uncompromising with the rest of us he had an uncanny sensitivity when bringing on his juniors. Most of the top players in the club learned their early skills at Martin's junior coaching. They will all also have happy memories of the many trips to other clubs or tournaments where the stop at McDonald's on the return journey was, for them at least, as important as the squash - well, almost!
Martin was proud of his son Conor's achievements in winning (many) Highfield Club Championships and grandson Philip McSweeney was the icing on the squash cake! In his later years he continued to have a great interest in squash and was a regular spectator at league matches throughout the province, often chauffeured by Cyril O'Mahony.
Martin is survived by his wife Marie and his daughters Catherine and Pam as well as Conor. Marie had endless patience towards, and a welcome for, all of us who called to the door at all hours looking for a racket to be repaired or re-strung. He will be missed and fondly remembered by his many friends in Highfield and in the wider squash community in Ireland. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.