on 6 august 2017, galway qualified for the 2017 all-ireland senior hurling championship final after a one-point victory over tipperary in the semi-final. on 3 september 2017, donoghue and his galway team were crowned all ireland champions after defeating waterford on a 0-26 to 2-17 scoreline in the final. this was galway's first all ireland senior hurling title since 1988.