HE’S A HIGHLY-rated hurler who was called into the Tipperary senior setup before last year’s All-Ireland final but Colin O’Riordan love of football means that’s where his loyalties lie.
O’Riordan is a prodigious talent who won an All-Ireland minor football medal at the age of 15 in September 2011 and in his first season as a senior player in 2014, he claimed an Allstar nomination.
The JK Brackens club man has been sought after by the county’s hurlers as well – he lined out for the U21 side last July – yet his focus lies with Peter Creedon’s senior football squad and the U21 team that he captains for next month’s EirGrid Munster final against Cork.
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Hurling
“I was in with the hurlers last year for a bit alright. I enjoy hurling too, it’s a great sport and when you’re from Tipp hurling seems to be number one. My father was a good footballer and he grew up playing football and he comes from South Tipp which is more football.
Colin O'Riordan pictured ahead of the EirGrid Munster U21 football final. Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE
Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
“So I grew up with him telling me football is his game. That probably had a big influence on me too. I love football, it’s number one at the moment for me. A good few people would be saying that. ‘What are you doing playing football, you have a better chance of winning an All-Ireland hurling?’
“But if you love something you don’t just pack it in for something you like instead. Football is a great game for me and I feel myself I’m probably a bit better at football. You have to go with your own opinion on a lot things.”
Congrats to Colin O'Riordan on all star nomination,super player, should have been nominated for young footballer too in my opinion #classact
O’Riordan enjoyed his spell with Eamon O’Shea’s senior hurling setup despite entering it late in the 2014 campaign.
“It was hard to go into a group of lads who are so knitted together already. Lads would be looking at you thinking ‘what’s going on here, a lad coming in after football as if hurling is only second fiddle to him.’
Colin O'Riordan in action for the Tipperary U21's in the Munster championship last year. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
“Look I enjoyed the chance and Eamonn was very good to me. Everyone there was very good to me. Eamonn asked me in and I was delighted to go in. There wasn’t any reluctance at all. I was happy to get the chance.”
O’Riordan revealed he hasn’t been in contact with O’Shea about linking up with the Tipperary senior hurling squad but is in communication with U21 hurling boss TJ Connolly. The 19 year-old is eligible for that grade this season and next with Tipperary taking on Limerick in the semi-final of that championship on 16 July.
'If you love something you don’t just pack it in' - why this Tipp player chose football over hurling
HE’S A HIGHLY-rated hurler who was called into the Tipperary senior setup before last year’s All-Ireland final but Colin O’Riordan love of football means that’s where his loyalties lie.
O’Riordan is a prodigious talent who won an All-Ireland minor football medal at the age of 15 in September 2011 and in his first season as a senior player in 2014, he claimed an Allstar nomination.
Last month he starred at midfield for the UCD team that won the All-Ireland Freshers Football title.
The JK Brackens club man has been sought after by the county’s hurlers as well – he lined out for the U21 side last July – yet his focus lies with Peter Creedon’s senior football squad and the U21 team that he captains for next month’s EirGrid Munster final against Cork.
Hurling
“I was in with the hurlers last year for a bit alright. I enjoy hurling too, it’s a great sport and when you’re from Tipp hurling seems to be number one. My father was a good footballer and he grew up playing football and he comes from South Tipp which is more football.
“So I grew up with him telling me football is his game. That probably had a big influence on me too. I love football, it’s number one at the moment for me. A good few people would be saying that. ‘What are you doing playing football, you have a better chance of winning an All-Ireland hurling?’
“But if you love something you don’t just pack it in for something you like instead. Football is a great game for me and I feel myself I’m probably a bit better at football. You have to go with your own opinion on a lot things.”
O’Riordan enjoyed his spell with Eamon O’Shea’s senior hurling setup despite entering it late in the 2014 campaign.
“It was hard to go into a group of lads who are so knitted together already. Lads would be looking at you thinking ‘what’s going on here, a lad coming in after football as if hurling is only second fiddle to him.’
“Look I enjoyed the chance and Eamonn was very good to me. Everyone there was very good to me. Eamonn asked me in and I was delighted to go in. There wasn’t any reluctance at all. I was happy to get the chance.”
O’Riordan revealed he hasn’t been in contact with O’Shea about linking up with the Tipperary senior hurling squad but is in communication with U21 hurling boss TJ Connolly. The 19 year-old is eligible for that grade this season and next with Tipperary taking on Limerick in the semi-final of that championship on 16 July.
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Colin O'Riordan Munster U21FC Dual star Premier Tipperary Tipperary