Post-playing Career
In retirement from playing McDonnell became involved in team management and coaching.
He first enjoyed success as an inter-county selector in 1986 when he was part of the management of the Cork senior hurling team. A 2-18 to 3-12 defeat of Clare secured a record-equaling fifth successive Munster title. This victory paved the way for an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against a Cork team seen as being in decline, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton, two from Tomás Mulcahy and one from Kevin Hennessy, stymied the Galway attack and helped the Rebels to a 4-13 to 2-15 victory.
Over a decade later in 1997 McDonnell was back as a selector with the Cork under-21 team. A late goal by Timmy McCarthy against Tipperary secured the Munster crown by just a single point. The Rebels later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Galway providing the opposition. After a defeat at the hands of the men from the west the previous year, Cork gained revenge in 1997 with a 3-11 to 0-13 win in the championship decider. The victory was all the more spectacular as it was Cork's one hundredth All-Ireland title across all grades.
McDonnell was also a selector with the Cork senior team during a controversial period in 2002 when the players went on strike for better conditions.
Read more about this topic: Pat Mc Donnell
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