Shaw Local

News   •   Sports   •   Obituaries   •   eNewspaper   •   The Scene
Kane County Prep Sports

Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week: Liam O’Donoghue, Geneva, soccer, junior

Geneva junior Liam O'Donoghue. Photo courtesy of Geneva Athletics.

Name: Liam O’Donoghue

School: Geneva, junior

Sport: Soccer

Why he was selected: O’Donoghue scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over St. Charles East last week. O’Donoghue was voted Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is his interview with sports reporter Jacob Bartelson.

Bartelson: You’ve talked previously about loving playing on this team. Why is that?

O’Donoghue: Since my freshman year, I was on junior varsity with a lot of the guys on the team right now, so I have built great relationships with them on the field and off. So when I play, I play for us all to succeed and I want to see all of us succeed together in the postseason.

Bartelson: Do you feel you’re playing your best soccer right now?

O’Donoghue: Yeah, I think where we are currently in the season, I’m very confident in my play. When we are playing better as a team, I play better individually.

Bartelson: How did you fall in love with the sport?

O’Donoghue: I grew up playing the sport at a young age and fell in love. My brother was two years older than me and he played as well and always pushed me to my max. I always had an interest in playing because I always thought it was so fun. Even when we aren’t playing games or practices, I will go out with my friends to Thompson [Middle School] and play because I have a genuine love for the game.

Bartelson: Do you follow any international teams or leagues? Who do you like to watch?

O’Donoghue: I love Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the Premier League. My dad and I are huge fans and we watch every game together on the weekends and that is a big part of me and our bond together.

Bartelson: For fun, you can meet any professional athlete from any sport. Who are you meeting and why?

O’Donoghue: I would meet David Beckham. From a young age, he has been my favorite player from his skill to his flair off the field. I think he would be awesome to meet.

Jacob Bartelson

Jacob Bartelson

Jake is a full-time sports reporter writing primarily for the Kane County Chronicle covering preps. His collective work is featured across several Shaw markets and platforms, including Friday Night Drive and Bears Insider. Jake began full-time in 2017.