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James O'Donoghue on forgetting his boots before the All-Ireland semi-final

James O’Donoghue was last night revealed as the 2014 GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year.

THIS YEAR’S GAA/GPA Footballer of the year isn’t one for superstitions – that’s why he still scored 2-06 in Declan O’Sullivan’s boots for Kerry’s All-Ireland semi-final replay.

After forgetting his right boot ahead of Kerry’s clash with Mayo, James O’Donoghue was fortunate enough that his team mate had the exact same boot in the exact same size.

“I tried not to let that story out,” the Kerry attacker said earlier today on Off the Ball – “but I forgot one of the boots, I still had the left one I think, but I had to ask Deccy to loan me his boot.

“How does it happen? I don’t know, how does anything happen with me. I can’t explain it. I had one of them like.

“I was actually very lucky as Deccy had exactly the same one, same size and everything. But I wouldn’t be too superstitious about the boots or anything – I’d say if you did, you’d be in trouble.”

James O'Donoghue Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

The newly crowned Footballer of the Year says that despite just finishing a long, hard year, he’s already relishing 2015 – because he misses training that much.

“It’s basically your whole life, you base everything you do every day around training – but the toughest part now is having no food,” he joked.

“You get fed after training, but now that the training’s over the food is over, so that’s the worst thing for me – having to spend more money on food.”

He could be out of training for a while though, he may need an operation to sort out a shoulder problem which has already ruled him out of Ireland’s international rules panel.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be going anyway, but yeah the shoulder’s been at me so I have to get it looked at. It’s a simple thing but just something I have to get sorted before next year.”

Colm Cooper celebrates his goal with Declan O'Sullivan and James O'Donoghue Colm Cooper celebrates a goal with Declan O'Sullivan and James O'Donoghue. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Kerry fans will no doubt be relishing the prospect of next year’s title defence already, with the return of Colm Cooper set to improve the already vastly talented attack.

“I’m sure he’s going to come back into the half forward line next year and he’s going to be playing with five forwards who have improved their game because they had to.”

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