	Donoghue joined the Clarinbridge club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels. On 14 November 1992, he scored a point from left wing-back when Clarinbridge drew 1-08 to 2-05 with Castlegar in the Galway Minor Championship final. Donoghue lined out in the same position for the replay a week later and collected a winners' medal following a 1-09 to 1-05 victory.