Jamesie O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Jamesie O'Connor is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield
and with the Clare
senior inter-county team from 1993 until 2004.
senior hurling of the late 1970s and 1980s. The O'Connor family moved to Ennis
when Jamesie was ten years-old. He was educated at St. Flannans College, a virtual academy for young hurling talent in the area. It was here that O'Connor's hurling skills were further developed and he was akey part of the college's Dr. Harty Cup
winning team. Jamesie's brother Christy O' Connor is a sports writer with The Sunday Times and he is the author of GAA Quiz Book 1 and GAA Quiz Book 2. Christy also plays hurling in goals for his local club St. Joseph's Doora Barefield
O'Connor now teaches business in St. Flannan's.
were the opponents on that occasion, however, the game turned out to be a complete disaster for Clare. A final score line of 3-27 to 2-12, in favour of Tipp, resulted in a humiliating trouncing for Clare.
In 1994 Clare were back in the Munster final for a second consecutive year. Limerick
provided the opposition in O'Connor's second provincial decider; however, the result was a familiar one. Clare were completely overwhelmed and were trounced yet again by 0-25 to 2-10.
In 1995 Ger Loughnane
took over as manager
of the Clare senior hurling team and made sweeping changes. New fitness regimes and new personalized diets and, above all, a new psychological approach, resulted in the fittest and most prepared Clare team ever taking to the field for a third consecutive Munster final in 1995. Limerick were the opponents for a second consecutive year and took an early lead. Clare never surrendered and, thanks to an inspirational penalty by goalkeeper Davy FitzGerald
, fought back to win by 1-17 to 0-11. It was O'Connor's first Munster
title and Clare’s first since 1932. A subsequent defeat of Galway
allowed Clare to line out in Croke Park
for the All-Ireland final. Offaly
provided the opposition on that occasion in what was the first ever meeting of these two sides in the championship. The game developed into a close affair with Offaly taking a half-time lead. Four minutes from the end substitute Éamonn Taaffe
first timed a long range free straight into the net to give Clare a one-point lead. After a quick equalizer Daly sent over a 65-metre free to give his team the lead again. O'Connor pointed soon afterwards and at the full-time whistle Clare were the 1-13 to 2-8 winners. O'Connor had just won his first All-Ireland
medal.
In 1996 Clare dramatically lost their Munster and All-Ireland titles in a first-round meeting with Limerick. The winning point by Ciarán Carey
has been described as one of the greatest match-winners of all-time.
In 1997 Clare were back on form and reached the Munster final once again. Tipperary, a team regarded as one of the aristocrats of hurling, provided the opposition on that occasion. It was an occasion to savour for O'Connor as Clare won a close and exciting game by 1-18 to 0-18. The introduction of the new ‘back-door’ system resulted in both Clare and Tipperary meeting for the second time in the first all-Munster All-Ireland final. The game itself was one of the best of the decade. Clare were well on top for much of the game, however, Liam Cahill
and Eugene O’Neill scored twice for Tipp in the last ten minutes. John Leahy
missed a goal chance in the last minute while another Tipp point was controversially ruled wide. At the full-time whistle Clare won by a single point – 0-20 to 2-13. In winning the 1997 All-Ireland final Clare defeated Cork, Kilkenny
and Tipperary - the big three of hurling. In doing so they became only the second team ever, along with Waterford, to achieve this. Following this All-Ireland victory O'Connor won his second All-Star and Hurler of the year award.
In 1998 Clare were once again the favourites to take a third All-Ireland title in four years. All went to plan as O'Connor captured another Munster title. The victory over Waterford
in a replay was an ill-tempered affair, with many citing it as the beginning of the end for Clare’s great run of success. O'Connor's next game with Clare was an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Offaly. Clare were the red-hot favourites, however, it took a late equalizer by O’Connor to secure a draw. The replay was a bizarre affair. With two minutes left to play Clare were 1-16 to 2-10 ahead and looked destined for victory, however, referee Jimmy Cooney blew the full-time whistle. The Offaly supporters launched a sit-down protest on the pitch at Croke Park and a second replay was granted. By this stage Clare were exhausted and lost the game by 0-16 to 0-13.
The following few seasons proved difficult Clare. A young Cork team emerged in 1999, defeating Clare in the Munster final. Following the conclusion of the championship in 2000 Daly decided to retire from inter-county hurling.
The following few seasons proved difficult for O'Connor and Clare as Cork and Tipperary re-emerged as the kingpins of Munster. In 2002 Clare were defeated in the first-round of the provincial championship, however, by using the expanded qualifier system O'Connor's team qualified for the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny provided the opposition on that occasion, however, 'the Cats' won the day. O'Connor retired from inter-county hurling in 2004.
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 played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield
St.Josephs Doora-Barefield GAA
St. Josephs is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in the areas of Doora and Barefield outside Ennis in County Clare, Ireland.-Selected Honours:* Clare Senior Hurling Championship winners 1954, 1958, 1998, 1999, 2001...
and with the Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
senior inter-county team from 1993 until 2004.
Biography
Jamesie love for hurling blossomed and he was a keen supporter of the famed GalwayGalway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
senior hurling of the late 1970s and 1980s. The O'Connor family moved to Ennis
Ennis
Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway. Its name is a shortening of the original ....
when Jamesie was ten years-old. He was educated at St. Flannans College, a virtual academy for young hurling talent in the area. It was here that O'Connor's hurling skills were further developed and he was akey part of the college's Dr. Harty Cup
Dr. Harty Cup
The Dr. Harty Cup is a hurling competition for schools in the province of Munster in Ireland. The cup is presented to the winners of the Munster Colleges Senior "A" Hurling Championship. Players have to be under the age of 19 to compete. The winning team represents Munster in the Dr. Croke Cup...
winning team. Jamesie's brother Christy O' Connor is a sports writer with The Sunday Times and he is the author of GAA Quiz Book 1 and GAA Quiz Book 2. Christy also plays hurling in goals for his local club St. Joseph's Doora Barefield
O'Connor now teaches business in St. Flannan's.
Inter-county
Clare hurling was at a low-ebb in the early 1990s, however, in spite of this O'Connor lined out in his first Munster final in 1993. TipperaryTipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
were the opponents on that occasion, however, the game turned out to be a complete disaster for Clare. A final score line of 3-27 to 2-12, in favour of Tipp, resulted in a humiliating trouncing for Clare.
In 1994 Clare were back in the Munster final for a second consecutive year. 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...
provided the opposition in O'Connor's second provincial decider; however, the result was a familiar one. Clare were completely overwhelmed and were trounced yet again by 0-25 to 2-10.
In 1995 Ger Loughnane
Ger Loughnane
Ger Loughnane is a Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Feakle and with the Clare senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s...
took over as manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
of the Clare senior hurling team and made sweeping changes. New fitness regimes and new personalized diets and, above all, a new psychological approach, resulted in the fittest and most prepared Clare team ever taking to the field for a third consecutive Munster final in 1995. Limerick were the opponents for a second consecutive year and took an early lead. Clare never surrendered and, thanks to an inspirational penalty by goalkeeper Davy FitzGerald
Davy FitzGerald
David Fitzgerald is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He is a former manager of the Waterford senior hurling team....
, fought back to win by 1-17 to 0-11. It was O'Connor's first Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title and Clare’s first since 1932. A subsequent defeat of Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
allowed Clare to line out in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
for the All-Ireland final. 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...
provided the opposition on that occasion in what was the first ever meeting of these two sides in the championship. The game developed into a close affair with Offaly taking a half-time lead. Four minutes from the end substitute Éamonn Taaffe
Éamonn Taaffe
Éamonn Taaffe is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Tubber and was a member of the Clare senior inter-county team in the 1990s. Taaffe scored Clare's only goal in their 2-point victory over Offaly in the 1995 All-Ireland Final. This was Clare's first All-Ireland win in 81...
first timed a long range free straight into the net to give Clare a one-point lead. After a quick equalizer Daly sent over a 65-metre free to give his team the lead again. O'Connor pointed soon afterwards and at the full-time whistle Clare were the 1-13 to 2-8 winners. O'Connor had just won his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal.
In 1996 Clare dramatically lost their Munster and All-Ireland titles in a first-round meeting with Limerick. The winning point by Ciarán Carey
Ciarán Carey
Ciarán Carey is an Irish hurling selector and player. He is currently a selector with the Limerick senior hurling team....
has been described as one of the greatest match-winners of all-time.
In 1997 Clare were back on form and reached the Munster final once again. Tipperary, a team regarded as one of the aristocrats of hurling, provided the opposition on that occasion. It was an occasion to savour for O'Connor as Clare won a close and exciting game by 1-18 to 0-18. The introduction of the new ‘back-door’ system resulted in both Clare and Tipperary meeting for the second time in the first all-Munster All-Ireland final. The game itself was one of the best of the decade. Clare were well on top for much of the game, however, Liam Cahill
Liam Cahill
Liam Cahill was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Ballingarry and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team in the 1990s and 2000s. Cahill transferred to play for Thurles in 2007, winning a County Senior Hurling medal with them in 2009...
and Eugene O’Neill scored twice for Tipp in the last ten minutes. John Leahy
John Leahy (hurler)
John Leahy is a former Irish sportsperson. He played senior hurling with the Tipperary inter-county team from 1988 until 2003. He also represented Tipperary in all grades in Gaelic Football. He is regarded as a great hurler in Tipperary.-Early life & private life:John Leahy was born in...
missed a goal chance in the last minute while another Tipp point was controversially ruled wide. At the full-time whistle Clare won by a single point – 0-20 to 2-13. In winning the 1997 All-Ireland final Clare defeated Cork, Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
and Tipperary - the big three of hurling. In doing so they became only the second team ever, along with Waterford, to achieve this. Following this All-Ireland victory O'Connor won his second All-Star and Hurler of the year award.
In 1998 Clare were once again the favourites to take a third All-Ireland title in four years. All went to plan as O'Connor captured another Munster title. The victory over Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
in a replay was an ill-tempered affair, with many citing it as the beginning of the end for Clare’s great run of success. O'Connor's next game with Clare was an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Offaly. Clare were the red-hot favourites, however, it took a late equalizer by O’Connor to secure a draw. The replay was a bizarre affair. With two minutes left to play Clare were 1-16 to 2-10 ahead and looked destined for victory, however, referee Jimmy Cooney blew the full-time whistle. The Offaly supporters launched a sit-down protest on the pitch at Croke Park and a second replay was granted. By this stage Clare were exhausted and lost the game by 0-16 to 0-13.
The following few seasons proved difficult Clare. A young Cork team emerged in 1999, defeating Clare in the Munster final. Following the conclusion of the championship in 2000 Daly decided to retire from inter-county hurling.
The following few seasons proved difficult for O'Connor and Clare as Cork and Tipperary re-emerged as the kingpins of Munster. In 2002 Clare were defeated in the first-round of the provincial championship, however, by using the expanded qualifier system O'Connor's team qualified for the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny provided the opposition on that occasion, however, 'the Cats' won the day. O'Connor retired from inter-county hurling in 2004.
St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield
- All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
:- Winner (1): 1999
- Runner-up (1): 2000
- Munster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipMunster Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
:- Winner (2): 1998, 1999
- Clare Senior Hurling Championship:
- Winner (2): 1998, 1999
- Runner-up (3): 1994, 1997, 2004
Clare
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
:- Winner (2): 1995All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1995The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship of 1995 was the 109th staging of Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition...
, 1997All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1997The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship of 1997 was the 111th staging of Ireland's premier hurling competition... - Runner-up (1): 2002
- Winner (2): 1995
- Munster Senior Hurling ChampionshipMunster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
:- Winner (3): 1995, 1997, 1998
- Runner-up (2): 1993, 1994, 1999
- National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling LeagueThe National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
:- Winner (0):
- Runner-up (2): 1994-1995