 He was born at Armagh was educated at The Royal School, Armagh.Following success in club cricket for Armagh, McDonough was selected to play in Ireland's first-class match against Scotland in 1930.The Irish batsman struggled in this match against the Scottish fast bowler Arthur Baxter, though opening the batting McDonough himself scored 13 runs in the Irish first-innings before falling victim to Baxter, while in their second-innings he top scored with 48 before Stuart Hiddleston.