Leo O'Connor (hurler)

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Leo O'Connor (born 1967) is an Irish retired hurler who played as left wing-forward for the Limerick senior team.^[1]

O'Connor made his first appearance for the team during the 1988-89 National League and became a regular member of the starting fifteen over the next seven seasons. During that time he won one Munster medal as a non-playing substitute. He ended up as an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

At club level O'Connor is an on-time county club championship medalist with Kinnitty In retirement from playing O'Connor became involved in team management. He has served as manager of the intermediate hurling team, the offaly under-17 hurling team and the Limerick under-21 hurling team.^[2]

Playing career[]

Club[]

O'Connor enjoyed some success during a three-decade long career with Claughaun.

In 1986 he was a member of the Claughaun senior hurling team that reached the championship decider. A 1-9 to 0-9 defeat of Adare gave O'Connor a Limerick Senior Hurling Championship medal.^[3]

It would be twenty years before O'Connor once again tasted success with Claughaun. Having started the season as a goalkeeper he was later deployed as an outfield player as the club reached the final of the intermediate championship. A 1-17 to 2-9 defeat of South Liberties gave O'Connor a county intermediate championship medal.

Inter-county[]

O'Connor first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Limerick under-21 hurling team. In 1987 he missed out on the county's Munster final triumph over Cork, but was included on the starting fifteen for the subsequent All-Ireland final. A 2-15 to 3-6 defeat of Galway gave O'Connor an All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship medal.

O'Connor made his senior debut for Limerick in a National Hurling League game against Offaly during the 1988-89 campaign. Later that season he made his championship debut when he came on as a substitute against Kerry.

After a number of seasons on and off the team, O'Connor became a more regular player during the 1993-94 league and championship seasons. In spite of missing Limerick's emphatic Munster final triumph over Clare, he came on as a substitute in the subsequent All-Ireland final. For much of that match it looked as if Limerick side were going to make history and claim the title as they had a five-point lead with as many minutes left. Offaly suddenly sprang to life following a Johnny Dooley goal from a close-in free. Following the puck-out Offaly worked the ball upfield and Pat O'Connor struck for a second goal. The Offaly forwards scored another five unanswered points in the time remaining to secure a 3-16 to 2-13 victory.

Managerial career[]

In retirement from playing O'Connor became involved in team management and coaching at club and inter-county level. He enjoyed moderate success at club level when he guided Mungret to a semi-final in the intermediate championship.

In 2009 O'Connor was appointed manager of the Limerick under-21 hurling team. After little success in his first two seasons, Limerick reached the provincial decider in 2011. After an epic game with extra time, Limerick emerged victorious on a score line of 4-20 to 1-27.^[4]

References[]