SPURRED ON BY his recent involvement with the Republic of Ireland, Lee O’Connor is hoping to follow in the footsteps of John O’Shea.
In spite of his lack of first-team experience, O’Connor was invited to link up with the Irish senior squad by former manager Martin O’Neill for the games against Northern Ireland and Denmark.
Although he didn’t feature in either fixture, O’Neill described the Manchester United player as “a very impressive young man” who could have “a decent future” in the game.
O’Connor is keen to emulate the achievements of fellow Waterford native John O’Shea, who made 393 appearances at United and won 118 caps for his country.
“There have been a lot of very good Irish players [at United],” O’Connor told MUTV. “John O’Shea was probably the last biggest one, so I hopefully want to continue that on. There’s a big scouting network in Ireland, there’s a lot of good talent and United have seen that throughout the years.
“The training with the senior squad has given me a bit of confidence — that I am improving and it is being seen — so it’s definitely a good thing for me.”
A versatile defender, O’Connor started at left-back this afternoon as United booked their place in the last 16 of the Uefa Youth League with a 6-2 win against Young Boys.
He was the captain of Ireland U19 team that advanced to the elite qualifying round for next year’s European Championships with wins over Netherlands, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Faroe Islands last month.
O’Connor reflected positively on his recent graduation to the senior set-up, adding that he’s keen on further involvement with a side that’s now under the stewardship of Mick McCarthy.
“It was a great experience to be around the first team and see how things are done at the highest level. I just hope that I can push on in that squad in the future,” he said.
“We’ve had a good year for my age at international level so there are a few very good players and it’s nice to see we’re being recognised. I’m sure there will be a few others joining me.
“All you want to do when you grow up is get involved in the [Ireland] senior set-up so we’re seeing there is a pathway, not for just me but for all the younger boys coming through. You can see that it’s there.
“It was good. They’re all very good players and very good professionals so every training session was flat out, 100%. It was a good learning experience for me.
“I’ve had a lot of texts from the staff I worked with in the younger age groups and I’m very thankful to them for the work they’ve done with me on the way up. And then obviously I’m grateful to the senior set-up who made me feel welcome when I came in.”
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There won’t be a dry leg in London tonight
@Graham Young: theres always one.
@Chris Mc: Ah lighten up Chris. I’m sure Sean would find it funny.
@Rocky Raccoon: in fairness it was funny.
@Chris Mc: 220 seem to agree with the one!
@Graham Young: nasty
Legend of the game best of luck in the future Sean
@Patrick Kehoe: The tracks have come off the “Tullow Tank” A great player
Favourite player growing up. One of the reasons I got it into rugby. I feel like he Revolutionised the backrow position.
@Harry O’Callaghan: Same here amazingly. There was so much he brought to the game that made him a pleasure to watch. All the best to him in retirement.
@Harry O’Callaghan: In his pomp, ball in hand and getting a head of steam up ,it just was so unfair to the opposition, he blew them away Lomuesque. Thanks for the memories SOB
Enjoy your retirement old chap
A proper animal
Can’t remember the game exactly , I think vs France , he cleared 2 players out of a ruck in a ridiculous display of power and timing, such an athlete!!!
@David Abbott: found it
https://youtu.be/XVUHFFUvjKk
@David Abbott: There was 3 players in that pile he moved so effortlessly.
Two of the players are in the ruck sideways, i.e. in a weak position to withstand lateral force, and the third pulls away. Also, there’s the question of a potentially dangerous landing.
@bread of heaven: Did you only start looking at rugby yesterday?
@bread of heaven: You really are poisonous.
@bread of heaven: bitter taste off that heavenly bread SOB is recognised as a legend wirldwide. It’s a super clearout adn legal even by today’s standards.
You’re a legend between you and your keyboard.
Proper world-class. If you ever make an all-time Ireland 15, he’s right up there.
Absolute legend. Wishing you well in retirement and on the farm in Carlow Sean :)
Always remember the game v Australia in RWC 2011 / think the Aussies only thought they had to turn up to win. Pretty much the whole Irish team played out of their skins that night but specifically remember SOB being in the Aussies’ faces / refusing to take a backward step. Brilliant servant to the cause / best of luck with retirement.
Absolute wrecking ball of a player! Go well in retirement!
Legend. I remember when Rocky left thinking Leinster will never have a player like him again and then along comes an young Irish kid that looked like he could be even better than Rocky. Unreal player.
Retirement party in cassidys no need for toilets
Wasn’t Sean affectionately nicknamed ‘The Tullow Tank’
I used to love reading his stats , absolute beast of man in defence and a bulldozer in the carry . Shame he got injured so much . He’ll always be remembered in Ireland as one of the greats . Good luck farming Sean .
Swatting away Ben young’s was enjoyable, seriously good player
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dK7s_dzRX0o
Well pissed about that news.
An absolute beast of a rugby player who preferred running through or over the opposition defence rather than around it which he was also very capable of doing.