Born in Melbourne, O'Donnell was a student at St Kilda's Christian Brothers College.[1] He later did a building apprenticeship at Swinburne College.[1]
His early football was played with South Caulfield CYMS.[2]
Military service
In World War II he served overseas with the Royal Australian Air Force after enlisting in 1943.[3] Following service in Britain, O'Donnell was a member of the occupation forces in Germany.[1]
O'Donnell was in the Deniliquin team which drew the 1952 grand final with Finley and lost by replay by six points.[9][10]
In 1953 he returned as coach for one final season [11] and was runner up in the 1953 Murray Football League best and fairest award, the O'Dwyer Medal.[12]
He was president of the Deniliquin Football Club from 1973 to 1978.[1]
Later life and family
A builder by trade, O'Donnell remained in Deniliquin, where he raised four children with wife Bernadette.[1] The youngest, Simon O'Donnell, played 24 games for St Kilda in the 1980s, but is best known as a cricketer.[13] He won a World Cup with Australia in 1987.[14]
Heavily involved in the racing industry, he bred his own racehorses and was a trustee of the Deniliquin racecourse.[1]
References
^ abcdefCarey, Tom (30 March 2002). "Obituary – Kevin O'Donnell – Builder, Sportsman". The Age. p. 8.
