Teen ace Dayne makes the grade

Dec 13 2007 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

DAYNE Donoghue has officially leapfrogged the club’s senior Academy side with his promotion to the Vikings’ first-team squad.

The 19-year-old captained last season’s Junior Academy (U18s) side but did also represent the Senior Academy Under 21s on a number of occasions.

And although still to make his National League debut, Donoghue has gained some significant first-team experience over the last two seasons in the Northern Rail Cup.

He joined the Vikings Scholarship scheme in his mid-teens, also cutting his teeth as a junior with Halton Farnworth Hornets, Widnes Moorfield and Widnes St Marie’s.

As a schoolboy at St John Fisher Primary and Sts Peter and Paul High, he progressed through the Widnes ‘Town Team’ ranks – spending two seasons playing against youngsters in the next age group up.

In 2005, Donoghue captained Sts Peter and Paul’s Year-11 team to victory in the Powergen Champion Schools Competition, taking man-of-the-match honours in the final against Whitehaven.

The youngster knows being part of Steve McCormack’s squad is a big step up from the Academy but is relishing the challenge.

He said: “It will be a big difference with training every day. It’s hard work but it makes you a better player and a lot fitter and you are getting paid for doing something you really enjoy.

“The feeling is really positive. We’ve got a good bunch of players and a good team spirit.”

Donoghue, who hails from Halton View, will now be pitched in front of thousands of spectators every week instead of the few hundred he is used to in the U18s or U21s.

As a local lad, he inevitably faces lively banter from his mates during the week but knows that come matchday, every one is behind him and the team.

Donoghue admits the Vikings have already assembled a strong-looking pack.

Competition for places will therefore be tough.

“My aim is just to work hard and try to establish myself .......................in the first-team squad,” he added.

“I’m a second row or loose-forward and I’ll play anywhere as long as I’m picked.”

Donoghue is aware that after the Northern Rail Cup preliminaries, the new-look team faces a tough start to their NL1 matches with the Good Friday visit of Batley followed by games against Leigh, Whitehaven, Salford City Reds and Celtic Crusaders.

But he insisted: “They are fixtures you look forward to and want to play in. I think we can make a big impact. We have a good blend of experience and new players and hopefully we’ll do well.

“We start with a nine-point penalty but it’s not a worry. We still think we can do it.”