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.