season in League One. AFC Bournemouth After a successful loan spell, he joined Bournemouth permanently at the end of the 2004–05 season after Villa agreed to an undisclosed transfer. O'Connor quickly became an integral part of the team, making his name as an energetic and pacey player, playing in either one of the full-back positions. He scored his first and only goal for the "Cherries", a thumping half volley, from 25 yards out; in a 2–2 draw with Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park on 8 April 2006. Recovering from a hand injury, he helped manager Sean O'Driscoll to keep the Dean Court club five points above the League One relegation zone in 2005–06. Doncaster Rovers In May 2006, he was sold to Doncaster Rovers for £130,000 due to Bournemouth's financial difficulties, after manager Dave Penney offered him a three-year contract. Only four months into his career at the Keepmoat Stadium, his former boss Sean O'Driscoll was installed into the management position at Doncaster. O'Connor made a solid start to his Rovers career in the 2006–07 season with consistent performances throughout the season in defence. He capped a fine season by helping the club to Football League Trophy success following a 3–2 win over Bristol Rovers at the Millennium Stadium, where he was named Man of the Match. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 away win at Brentford. In the 2007–08 season, O'Connor began to excel in the right-back slot, providing width and speed to the Rovers attacks, as well as playing his part as a key player in a solid defence. He recovered from a hernia operation in February to play a vital part in the club's promotion campaign. O'Connor was again named Man of the Match as Doncaster beat Leeds United in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Not long after this he pledged his future to Doncaster by signing a new three-year contract. During the following season, O'Connor helped Doncaster to secure a 14th-place finish in the Championship. Along the way he scored the only goal in their win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. O'Connor was awarded all three of the club's available supporters awards, including Player of the Season, for the 2009–10 season after a succession of good performances playing at right-back and centre-half. He scored his only goal of the season away at Brentford in the FA Cup