After a less successful season under McDonnell's captaincy in 1971, McDonnell had more success in 1972 when he won a third league medal following a 3–14 to 2–14 defeat of Limerick. He later added a second Munster medal to his collection following a 6–18 to 2–8 win over Clare. Rivals Kilkenny provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final on 3 September 1972. Halfway through the second-half Cork were on form and stretched their lead to eight points. Kilkenny's Eddie Keher was deployed closer to goal and finished the game with 2–9. A fifteen-point swing resulted in Kilkenny winning the game by 3–24 to 5–11.