| Kevin O'Donnell | |
| Fullname: | Kevin O'Donnell |
| Birth Date: | 1924 7, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | St Kilda, Victoria |
| Originalteam: | South Caulfield CYMS |
| Height: | 183 cm |
| Weight: | 80 kg |
| Statsend: | 1949 |
| Years1: | 1946–1949 |
| Club1: | St Kilda |
| Games Goals1: | 49 (20) |
Kevin O'Donnell (12 July 1924 – 15 January 2002) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
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]
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, a half forward, debuted in the opening round of the 1946 VFL season, against North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval.[4] [5] He kicked two goals and was named amongst St Kilda's best.[6]
From 1946 to 1949, O'Donnell amassed 49 league games for St Kilda.[5]
In 1950, O'Donnell left St Kilda to coach in New South Wales, for Deniliquin in the Murray Football League.[7] He remained senior coach in 1951, then played the 1952 season as a player only, as former South Melbourne player Ted Whitfield took charge.[8]
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]
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]