Kieran O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Kieran O'Connor is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football
with his local club Aghada
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 2004 until his retirement in 2011.
in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
By 2005 the Cork footballers had regrouped and reached the Munster final for the first time in three years. Once again Kerry, the reigning All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition. The game was a close affair, however, Cork were narrowly defeated by just 1-11 to 0-11. O'Connor came on as a substitute in that game as he still had not established himself on the starting fifteen. This did not mean the end of Cork’s All-Ireland ambitions. After winning their next two games ‘the Rebels’ qualified for an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kerry. In an embarrassing game of football for Cork, O'Connor's side were trounced by thirteen points on a score line of 1-19 to 0-9.
Bu 2006 O'Connor had established himself as the left corner-back on the team. Cork reached the Munster final that year with Kerry lining out against them. That game ended in a 0-10 apiece draw. The replay saw a much fresher Cork team surprisingly defeat Kerry by 1-12 to 0-9. James Masters
proved the hero of the day, as he scored 1-7. O'Connor had secured a coveted Munster
winners’ medal in the senior grade. The quirks of the championship saw Cork face Kerry again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final for the third time in five seasons. In a similar pattern to previous encounters Cork failed to beat Kerry at Croke Park. A 0-16 to 0-10 resulted in Cork being knocked out of the championship.
In 2007 Cork were out to atone for their defeats by Kerry the previous year. Both sides met in the provincial decider for the third year in succession. Cork gave a good account of themselves, however, Kerry could not be beaten and O'Connor's side went down on a 1-15 to 1-13 score line. Cork later did well in the subsequent All-Ireland series and finally qualified for the All-Ireland final after an eight year absence. In a cruel twist Kerry were the opponents. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. Goalkeeper Alan Quirke
came in for much criticism after conceding some easy goals. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 Cork gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when the sides met again 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 and his first as captain. 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.
In 2009 Cork were regarded as a team that were earmarked as potential All-Ireland contenders. After a defeat of Kerry in a replay of the Munster semi-final, Cork subsequently faced Limerick
in the Munster final. Cork were the red-hot favourites going into the game, however, Limerick put Cork to the pin of their collars. After a slow start 'the Rebels' settled and eventually secured a narrow 2-6 to 0-11 victory. It was O'Connor's third Munster title. A subsequent defeat of Donegal
set up an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with reigning champions Tyrone
.
in the inter-provincial series of games, however, he has enjoyed little success. He first lined out with his province in 2005, however, Munster were trounced by Ulster
in the semi-final.
In 2006 when Munster were drawn to play Connacht
in the semi-final O'Connor was included in the panel once again. That was an exciting game that featured a period of extra-time. In the end victory went to the westerners by 1-15 to 2-10.
O'Connor was included on the Munster panel again in 2007. That year Munster reached the Railway Cup final against Ulster
, however, the northern province emerged victorious by 1-12 to 1-8.
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 Aghada
Aghada GAA
Aghada GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Aghada, Cork, Ireland. The club fields both Gaelic football and hurling teams in competitions organized by Cork County Board. The club is part of the Imokilly division of Cork...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 2004 until his retirement in 2011.
Inter-county
In 2004 O'Connor made his debut with the Cork senior football team. He came on as a substitute in a humiliating 0-18 to 0-12 defeat by FermanaghFermanagh GAA
The Fermanagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Fermanagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. The county board is also responsible for the Fermanagh inter-county teams-History:...
in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
By 2005 the Cork footballers had regrouped and reached the Munster final for the first time in three years. Once again Kerry, the reigning All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition. The game was a close affair, however, Cork were narrowly defeated by just 1-11 to 0-11. O'Connor came on as a substitute in that game as he still had not established himself on the starting fifteen. This did not mean the end of Cork’s All-Ireland ambitions. After winning their next two games ‘the Rebels’ qualified for an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kerry. In an embarrassing game of football for Cork, O'Connor's side were trounced by thirteen points on a score line of 1-19 to 0-9.
Bu 2006 O'Connor had established himself as the left corner-back on the team. Cork reached the Munster final that year with Kerry lining out against them. That game ended in a 0-10 apiece draw. The replay saw a much fresher Cork team surprisingly defeat Kerry by 1-12 to 0-9. James Masters
James Masters (Gaelic footballer)
James Masters is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Nemo Rangers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 2005 until 2010.-Biography:...
proved the hero of the day, as he scored 1-7. O'Connor had secured a coveted 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...
winners’ medal in the senior grade. The quirks of the championship saw Cork face Kerry again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final for the third time in five seasons. In a similar pattern to previous encounters Cork failed to beat Kerry at Croke Park. A 0-16 to 0-10 resulted in Cork being knocked out of the championship.
In 2007 Cork were out to atone for their defeats by Kerry the previous year. Both sides met in the provincial decider for the third year in succession. Cork gave a good account of themselves, however, Kerry could not be beaten and O'Connor's side went down on a 1-15 to 1-13 score line. Cork later did well in the subsequent All-Ireland series and finally qualified for the All-Ireland final after an eight year absence. In a cruel twist Kerry were the opponents. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. Goalkeeper Alan Quirke
Alan Quirke
Alan Quirke is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Valley Rovers and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 1999.-Club:...
came in for much criticism after conceding some easy goals. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3-13 to 1-9.
In 2008 Cork gained a modicum of revenge on Kerry when the sides met again 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 and his first as captain. 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.
In 2009 Cork were regarded as a team that were earmarked as potential All-Ireland contenders. After a defeat of Kerry in a replay of the Munster semi-final, Cork subsequently faced 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 final. Cork were the red-hot favourites going into the game, however, Limerick put Cork to the pin of their collars. After a slow start 'the Rebels' settled and eventually secured a narrow 2-6 to 0-11 victory. It was O'Connor's third Munster title. A subsequent defeat of Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
set up an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with reigning champions Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
.
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 inter-provincial series of games, however, he has enjoyed little success. He first lined out with his province in 2005, however, Munster were trounced 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....
in the semi-final.
In 2006 when Munster were drawn to play 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:...
in the semi-final O'Connor was included in the panel once again. That was an exciting game that featured a period of extra-time. In the end victory went to the westerners by 1-15 to 2-10.
O'Connor was included on the Munster panel again in 2007. That year Munster reached the Railway Cup final against 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....
, however, the northern province emerged victorious by 1-12 to 1-8.