He became the speed skating World Champion in 1891 and was a member of the Manhattan Athletic Club.

[2] Joe Donoghue skated on ice-skates with longer irons than did the other skaters in his time.

In 1889, at age 18, Joe Donoghue traveled to Russia where he raced against the Russian champion Alexander Panshin.

[4] Timothy Donoghue Sr on skating techniques in windy or windless conditions and the difference between Joe Donoghue's and Alexander Panshin's skating in the February 10, 1889 issue of the Pittsburg Dispatch (page 11): "A good skater will always have the wind against him, for he goes faster than an ordinary breeze.

Von Panschin, in spite of his size, makes 30 strokes to Joe's 20 while they are skating.