Donnelly played in the Antrim side that reached the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final in, losing out to Tipperary Gaelic Athletic Association by 4-24 to 3-9 at Croke Park. Donnelly received an All-Star that year being named in corner back. He also captained the All Star team in their exhibition game against Tipperary in the SkyDome, Toronto.
Club Inter-county.
Antrim Senior Hurling Championship (7) 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986 Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship (6) 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986 All-Ireland Club Senior Hurling Championship (0) Runners-up 1980 Ulster Senior Hurling Championship (3) 1989, 1990, 1991 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (0) Runners-up 1989 All-Star (1) 1989 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship (3) 1978, 1981, 1982.
He played hurling with his local club McQuillan Global Assembly Cache Ballycastle and was a member of the Antrim senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.
