after being appointed manager of the clarinbridge senior hurling team in 2009, donoghue immediately brought success to the club. under his guidance, the team qualified for the galway senior championship final on 31 october 2010, however, the game ended in a 2-11 to 1-14 draw with loughrea. clarinbridge defeated loughrea by 0-18 to 0-15 in the replay on 21 november. donoghue subsequently guided clarinbridge to the all-ireland club championship title on 17 march 2011 following a 2-18 to 0-12 defeat of o'loughlin gaels.