Mick O'Connell (hurler)

Mick O'Connell was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club St. Finbarr's and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1920s and 1930s.

Playing career

Club

O'Connell played his club hurling with the famous St. Finbarr's club and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county titles in 1922 and 1923. Three years later in 1926 O'Connell added to his medal collection by picking up another county title. He finished off his career by capturing back-to-back county medals n 1932 and 1933.

Inter-county

O'Connell first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with Cork in 1926. That year he came on as a substitute to collect his first Munster title. O'Connell played no part in the subsequent All-Ireland final which Cork won.

Cork retained their Munster title in 1927 with a 5-3 to 3-4 victory over Clare. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Dublin once again. Cork fell behind by 2-3 to 0-1 at half-time; however, they fought back in the second-half. In a team made up of nine members of An Garda Síochána ‘the Dubs’ claimed the victory by 4-8 to 1-3.

In 1928 Cork faced Clare in the Munster final for the second year in-a-row. That game ended in a draw, however, in the replay Cork triumphed with O'Connell collecting his third consecutive Munster title. Cork later defeated Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final before lining out against Galway in the championship decider. Galway got a bye into the final without picking up a hurley, however, the game turned into a rout. A score line of 6-12 to 1-0 gave Cork the victory and gave O'Connell his first All-Ireland medal.

In 1929 Cork retained their provincial dominance for a fourth consecutive year. A 4-6 to 2-3 defeat of Waterford gave O'Connell his second Munster title. The subsequent All-Ireland final was a replay of the previous year’s game as Cork played Galway once again. Mick Ahern scored a goal for Cork after just 25 seconds to start another rout. Cork won the day by 4-9 to 1-3 giving O'Connell his second All-Ireland title.

In 1930 O'Connell added a National Hurling League title to his collection; however, Cork surrendered their provincial crown later that summer. The team bounced back in 1931 with O'Connell collecting a third Munster winners’ medal. Once again it took a replay for Cork and Waterford to be separated. The All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny for the first time since 1926. After a close game both sides finished level – 1-6 apiece. Eudie Coughlan played a captain’s role in that game as he scored a point from his knees to level the scores. The replay of the final took place four weeks later and is regarded as a classic. Cork took the lead at half-time, however, Kilkenny fought back. Once again both sides finished level – 2-5 apiece. After this game officials pressed for extra time, however, this was rejected. It was also suggested at a meeting of the GAA’s Central Council that both counties be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal by given to each player. This motion was later defeated. The first week of November saw the second replay of the All-Ireland final take place. At the third attempt Cork triumphed by 5-8 to 3-4 giving O'Connell his third and final All-Ireland medal.

Provincial

O'Connell also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured a Railway Cup medal in 1930 as Munster defeated Leinster.

References

• Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).

External links

• Munster final winning teams
• Cork GAA honours