Donnacha O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Donncha O’Connor is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football
with his local club Ballydesmond
, his divisional side Duhallow
and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 2006.
club and the Duhallow
divisional side and has enjoyed some success.
After enjoying much success at all grades as a juvenile player, O'Connor broke onto Ballydesmond's junior team by the late nineties. After facing defeat in the divisional junior championship
final in 2005, the team qualified for the championship decider again in 2007. Dromtarriffe
provided the opposition, however, O'Connor won a divisional title following a 1-10 to 0-8 victory.
junior medal following a 2-13 to 0-8 defeat of Kerry
. O'Connor later added an All-Ireland
title to his collection following a 0-10 to 1-4 win over Meath
.
In 2006 O'Connor made his senior debut for Cork when he came on as a substitute for Nicholas Murphy
in a National Football League
game against Offaly
. Later that year he made his championship debut as a substitute against Limerick
in the Munster semi-final. He was included in the starting fifteen for the provincial final against Kerry, however, that game ended in a 0-10 apiece draw. O'Connor retained his position on the full-forward line for the replay and collected his first Munster
senior medal following a 1-12 to 0-9 win. Kerry later avenged this defeat by beating Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final.
O'Connor was very much a key member of the forwards again in 2007. He was one of the team's top scorers throughout the championship as Cork surrendered their provincial title but reached their first All-Ireland final since 1999. Age-old rivals Kerry were the opponents in the first all-Munster All-Ireland final. It was a game to forget for Cork as Kerry triumphed by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 'the Rebels' gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when the sides met in that year’s Munster final. Kerry were cruising by eight points at the interval, however, Cork stormed back in the second-half. Kerry could only muster three points as Cork secured a remarkable 1–16 to 1–11 victory. It was O'Connor's second Munster winners' medal. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
Cork reached the National League division two final in 2009, having recorded only one defeat in the seven group stage games. Monaghan
provided the opposition, however, Cork won the game by 1-14 to 0-12. It was O'Connor's first National League title. He later claimed a third Munster winners' medal following a narrow 2-6 to 0-11 defeat of Limerick. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final where arch-rivals Kerry provided the opposition for the second time in three years. Surprisingly, the men from 'the Kingdom' went into the game as slight underdogs. This tag appeared to be justified when Cork raced to a 1-3 to 0-1 early in the opening half. The Kerry team stuck to their game plan, helped in no small part by a Cork side that recorded fourteen wides. At the final whistle Kerry were the champions by 0-16 to 1-9.
2010 saw Cork bounce back from the All-Ireland defeat by claiming the top flight National League title with a 1-17 to 0-12 defeat of Mayo
in the final. It was O'Connor's first division one National League title. Cork were later defeated by Kerry in the provincial series but qualified for a second consecutive All-Ireland final by taking the scenic route through the qualifiers. Down
provided the opposition and a tight game developed on a rain-soaked day. O'Connor chipped in with five points as Cork triumphed by 0-16 to 0-15. It was O'Connor's first All-Ireland
winners' medal and Cork's first championship title in twenty years.
In 2011 Cork retained their status as top flight National League champions following a 0-21 to 2-14 defeat of Dublin
in the final. It was O'Connor's second winners' medal in that competition. Cork later qualified for their first Munster final in two years, however, Kerry retained their provincial title with a 1-15 to 1-12 victory. Cork's championship campaign later ended with a tame All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Mayo
.
in the now defunct inter-provincial series of games. He was first included on the team in 2007 when Munster were defeated by Ulster
.
O'Connor was on the half-forward line in 2008 when Munster defeated Connacht
by 1-09 to 0-7 to take their first Railway Cup title since 1999.
In 2009 O'Connor had the distinction of being captain of the very last Munster team to represent the province in the Railway Cup. For the second time in three years Munster were beaten by Ulster.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Ballydesmond
Ballydesmond GAA
Ballydesmond GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballydesmond in Cork, Ireland. Its Gaelic Football team participates in competitions organized by Cork GAA, and is a member of Duhallow division. The club is located very close to the border with Kerry and thus is very involved in the...
, his divisional side Duhallow
Duhallow GAA
Duhallow GAA is a Gaelic football and Hurling division in the barony of Duhallow, County Cork, Ireland. This barony is situated in the northwest region of the county, and includes towns such as Kanturk, Millstreet, and Newmarket. It is one of eight divisions of Cork County Board. It organizes...
and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 2006.
Club
O'Connor plays his club football with the BallydesmondBallydesmond GAA
Ballydesmond GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballydesmond in Cork, Ireland. Its Gaelic Football team participates in competitions organized by Cork GAA, and is a member of Duhallow division. The club is located very close to the border with Kerry and thus is very involved in the...
club and the Duhallow
Duhallow GAA
Duhallow GAA is a Gaelic football and Hurling division in the barony of Duhallow, County Cork, Ireland. This barony is situated in the northwest region of the county, and includes towns such as Kanturk, Millstreet, and Newmarket. It is one of eight divisions of Cork County Board. It organizes...
divisional side and has enjoyed some success.
After enjoying much success at all grades as a juvenile player, O'Connor broke onto Ballydesmond's junior team by the late nineties. After facing defeat in the divisional junior championship
Duhallow Junior A Football Championship
The Duhallow Junior A Football Championship is the top footballing competition in the Duhallow division in Cork. It was first run after the formation of the Duhallow division in 1933...
final in 2005, the team qualified for the championship decider again in 2007. Dromtarriffe
Dromtarriffe GAA
Dromtarriffe GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the North West of County Cork, Ireland. The club is affiliated to the Duhallow division of Cork GAA and is almost exclusively concerned with the game of Gaelic football though interest in Hurling has escalated in recent years...
provided the opposition, however, O'Connor won a divisional title following a 1-10 to 0-8 victory.
Inter-county
O'Connor never played for Cork at minor or under-21 levels, however, he made a name for himself as a member of the county's junior football team in 2005. That year he came on as a substitute to win a MunsterMunster Junior Football Championship
The Munster Junior football championship is an annual Gaelic football competition between the Munster GAA counties. The rules with respect to who is eligible vary between the counties. In Cork and Kerry, the players can not play with a senior club. In the other four counties, any player who is not...
junior medal following a 2-13 to 0-8 defeat of Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
. O'Connor later added an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association competition for junior gaelic football inter-county teams in Ireland. The definition of what constitutes a junior player differs from county to county. In some, the junior team is the second team after the senior team...
title to his collection following a 0-10 to 1-4 win over Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
.
In 2006 O'Connor made his senior debut for Cork when he came on as a substitute for Nicholas Murphy
Nicholas Murphy
Nicholas Murphy is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Carrigaline and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 1998.-Club:...
in a National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
game against Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
. Later that year he made his championship debut as a substitute against Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the Munster semi-final. He was included in the starting fifteen for the provincial final against Kerry, however, that game ended in a 0-10 apiece draw. O'Connor retained his position on the full-forward line for the replay and collected his first Munster
Munster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
senior medal following a 1-12 to 0-9 win. Kerry later avenged this defeat by beating Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final.
O'Connor was very much a key member of the forwards again in 2007. He was one of the team's top scorers throughout the championship as Cork surrendered their provincial title but reached their first All-Ireland final since 1999. Age-old rivals Kerry were the opponents in the first all-Munster All-Ireland final. It was a game to forget for Cork as Kerry triumphed by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 'the Rebels' gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when the sides met in that year’s Munster final. Kerry were cruising by eight points at the interval, however, Cork stormed back in the second-half. Kerry could only muster three points as Cork secured a remarkable 1–16 to 1–11 victory. It was O'Connor's second Munster winners' medal. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
Cork reached the National League division two final in 2009, having recorded only one defeat in the seven group stage games. Monaghan
Monaghan GAA
The Monaghan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Monaghan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Monaghan and the Monaghan inter-county football and hurling teams. Separate county boards are responsible for the...
provided the opposition, however, Cork won the game by 1-14 to 0-12. It was O'Connor's first National League title. He later claimed a third Munster winners' medal following a narrow 2-6 to 0-11 defeat of Limerick. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final where arch-rivals Kerry provided the opposition for the second time in three years. Surprisingly, the men from 'the Kingdom' went into the game as slight underdogs. This tag appeared to be justified when Cork raced to a 1-3 to 0-1 early in the opening half. The Kerry team stuck to their game plan, helped in no small part by a Cork side that recorded fourteen wides. At the final whistle Kerry were the champions by 0-16 to 1-9.
2010 saw Cork bounce back from the All-Ireland defeat by claiming the top flight National League title with a 1-17 to 0-12 defeat of Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in the final. It was O'Connor's first division one National League title. Cork were later defeated by Kerry in the provincial series but qualified for a second consecutive All-Ireland final by taking the scenic route through the qualifiers. Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
provided the opposition and a tight game developed on a rain-soaked day. O'Connor chipped in with five points as Cork triumphed by 0-16 to 0-15. It was O'Connor's first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winners' medal and Cork's first championship title in twenty years.
In 2011 Cork retained their status as top flight National League champions following a 0-21 to 2-14 defeat of Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in the final. It was O'Connor's second winners' medal in that competition. Cork later qualified for their first Munster final in two years, however, Kerry retained their provincial title with a 1-15 to 1-12 victory. Cork's championship campaign later ended with a tame All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
.
Inter-provincial
O'Connor has also lined out with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the now defunct inter-provincial series of games. He was first included on the team in 2007 when Munster were defeated by Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
.
O'Connor was on the half-forward line in 2008 when Munster defeated Connacht
Connacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
by 1-09 to 0-7 to take their first Railway Cup title since 1999.
In 2009 O'Connor had the distinction of being captain of the very last Munster team to represent the province in the Railway Cup. For the second time in three years Munster were beaten by Ulster.