in 2007 was followed by a second players' strike at the end of the year. This was in sympathy with the Cork senior football team. A second strike followed at the end of 2008 over the re-appointment of Gerald McCarthy as manager of the senior hurling team. All of these factors resulted in Cork's hurling team going into further decline. In 2010 O'Connor's side looked to be moving in the right direction. Cork qualified for the final of the National League, however, victory went to Galway. The team later reached the Munster final, only to lose out to Waterford after a replay. 2011 also saw Cork enjoy little success in the championship as the team exited following a defeat by Galway in the qualifiers. Following this defeat O'Connor decided to retire from inter-county hurling. Personal life O'Connor was born in the village of Newtownshandrum, County Cork to Bernie and Kathleen O'Connor (née O'Mahony). He was educated at the local national school before later attending Mannix College in Charleville. While going to school here he had his first national hurling success, when he won an All-Ireland vocational schools medal in 1997. O'Connor currently works as a member of the Garda Síochána. Honours Team Mannix College All-Ireland Vocational Schools Championship (1): 1997 Munster Vocational Schools' Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1996, 1997 Newtownshandrum All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 2004 Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (3): 2003, 2005, 2009 Cork Senior Club Hurling Championship (4): 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009 Cork Intermediate Club Hurling Championship (1): 1996 Cork Under-21 Club Hurling Championship (3): 1998, 1999, 2000 Cork Vocational Schools All-Ireland Vocational Schools Championship (2): 1996, 1997 Munster Vocational Schools Championship (2): 1996, 1997 Cork All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (2): 2004, 2005 Munster Senior Hurling Championship (4): 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 Individual Awards Munster Hurling Team of the last 25 Years (1984–2009) All Stars Hurler of the Year (1): 2005 Texaco Hurler of the Year (1): 2005 All Stars (3): 2004, 2005, 2006 GPA Gaelic Team of the Year (1): 2006 References |- 1979 births Living people Newtownshandrum hurlers Cork inter-county hurlers All Stars Hurlers of the Year Garda Síochána officers Twin sportspeople Irish twins