All-Delco Football Player of the Year: Donaghy got a kick out of guiding Fords

HAVERFORD >> Haverford High quarterback Jack Donaghy kicked extra points and field goals this season when his good buddy and regular Fords kicker Evan Boyce missed several games due to injury. Kicking was Donaghy’s hidden talent. Since he was a little boy, Donaghy has been a member of the Delco Gaels, one of the premier Irish football clubs in the country. The Gaels are based in Haverford.

“The sport is like rugby, soccer and handball rolled into one,” Donaghy said. “We won five (national championships) in a row and lost the sixth one this year in San Francisco. I’ve become best friends with kids all over Delaware County, and even some Bucks County and Montgomery County kids. Those friends will last forever just because we’ve been playing the sport together since we were 6 years old. “In fact, the Bradley twins (Haverford School’s Conor and Shane) that were (Daily Times) Players of the Year in soccer (in 2013 and 2014), their dad runs the whole program and they’re two of the best gaelic football players on the whole continent. It’s a pretty crazy sport, but it’s a whole lot of fun to play.”

So, when the Fords needed someone to serve as kicker and punter, Donaghy gladly volunteered his services. Those gaelic football skills came in handy.

“I would be clueless out there otherwise,” Donaghy said, laughing. “Just having that little bit of foot skill makes a difference.”

Donaghy is pretty good at his day job, too, which entails throwing the ball, not kicking it. In a senior year to cherish, Donaghy guided Haverford to its first Central League title in 20 years with an epic, 49-42 victory over Upper Darby on Thanksgiving. He threw for 307 yards and scored seven touchdowns that day, including five through the air. The greatest Turkey Day game in county history ended with Donaghy running 19 yards to the end zone with 18 seconds to go in the fourth quarter to give Haverford the lead. With that touchdown scamper, Donaghy locked up 2015 Daily Times Player of the Year honors.

Donaghy headlines the 2015 All-Delco football team selected after consultation with county coaches.

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