LONG-SERVING FORWARD Donncha O’Connor has brought the curtain down on his Cork senior football career.
O’Connor announced his retirement in the wake of Cork’s 2018 championship exit this evening in Portlaoise when they suffered a heavy Round 4 qualifier defeat to Tyrone.
The 37-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in the Cork attack in O’Moore Park, for what transpired to be his final appearance for the Rebels.
O’Connor’s departure severs another link with Cork’s 2010 All-Ireland winning team. An integral part of that triumph, O’Connor hit 0-5 in that final success over Down and 1-5 in the semi-final victory over Dublin.
Injuries curbed his involvement last summer after he had decided to commit for another campaign. Last summer saw him illustrate his ability to make an impact, shooting 0-6 in the Munster final against Kerry and contributing the same tally in the All-Ireland qualifier loss to Mayo.
The Ballydesmond club man was a latecomer to inter-county football. He was a sub on the Cork team that won the All-Ireland junior football title in 2005 but came off the bench in that final to score 0-2 and was brought onto the senior squad afterwards by senior manager Billy Morgan.
He made his inter-county debut for Cork in 2006 against Dublin and became a regular starter for Cork after that. Aside from the 2010 All-Ireland success, he won four Munster senior football medals and claimed four National league medals.
Great servant
Super player. Really underappreciated when he was at his best…. o how we could do with a 30 year old donacha now!!!
Brilliant player in his day. Was a match winner in many a game. Happy retirement
Yes great player and has been great for Cork. Can’t believe he and Kerrigan are still on the panel. Today’s result another embarrassment
@Ger Buckley: He never let the jersey down unlike many 15 years younger who are disgraceful
@Tim Brennan: disgraceful??? I’m not disagreeing that the result was bad but what will abusing the player’s get us?? Might make you feel better alright!!
Donnacha you are an absolute gentleman enjoyed refereeing you and enjoyed watching you as a fellow Duhallow man I want to thank you for all you have done for cork, Duhallow and Ballydesmond. A true great of the game of gaelic football. Best wishes o. Your retirement from the Intercounty game.
Can’t fault him really, the footballers coming through have either no bottle or simply are just not good enough so he’s better off to bow out with his name in tact. There’s surely 15 better footballers in the county than those put out today. Useless would be the understatement of the century
Legends like him deserve to go out on better terms. What a footballer.
Thanks for the memories.