Willie O'Connor
Willie O’Connor (born 14 March 1967) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Kilkenny senior team. O'Connor made his first appearance for the team during the 1988–89 National League and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement prior to the 2001 championship. During that time he has won three All-Ireland winners' medals, five Leinster winners' medals, one National League winners' medal and four All-Star awards. In 2000 O'Connor captained the team to the All-Ireland title. At club level O'Connor is a one-time All-Ireland medalist with Glenmore. In addition to this he has also won one Leinster winners' medal and five county championship winners' medals. O'Connor's brother, Eddie, is also an All-Ireland-winning captain with Kilkenny. Playing career Club O'Connor played his club hurling with Glenmore and enjoyed much success as the club became a new force in hurling throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1987 Glenmore reached the final of the county senior championship with Ballyhale Shamrocks providing the opposition. An exciting game developed over the hour, and a 4–10 to 3–9 victory gave O'Connor his first county winners' medal. After surrendering their title in 1988 and losing the championship decider to Ballyhale Shamrocks the following year, O'Connor's side reached the final again in 1990. Glenmore faced Clara on that occasion, however, O'Connor's side had a comfortable 3–15 to 2–6 victory. The club subsequently represented Kilkenny in the provincial series of games and even reached the final. Camross provided the opposition, however, O'Connor collected a Leinster club winners' medal following a 0–15 to 1–9 victory. An All-Ireland final showdown with Patrickswell of Limerick. The game was an exciting one, however, Patrickswell only held the lead on one occasion when Leonard Enright opened the scoring. A 1–13 to 0–12 score line gave Glenmore the title and gave O'Connor an All-Ireland club winners' medal. Glenmore lost their county, provincial and All-Ireland titles the following year, however, in 1992 O'Connor picked up a third county winners' medal following a 1–14 to 2–6 defeat of club kingpins Tullaroan. Once again Glenmore failed to retain their title the following year. It was 1995 before O'Connor's side reached the county championship decider once again. Fenians provided the opposition in a high-scoring hour of hurling. Glenmore were never really troubled as a 3–19 to 1–14 score line gave O'Connor a fourth county championship title. Many believed that this Glenmore team had reached the end of their life-cycle, however, in 1999 the club bounced back to reach the county final once again. Graigue-Ballycallan were the opponents and a close game developed. A 1–14 to 2–8 victory gave O'Connor a fifth and final county championship winners' medal. Inter-county O’Connor played with the Kilkenny minor and under-21 hurling teams throughout the 1980s, however, he enjoyed little success. He subsequently joined the county's senior team, making his debut against Waterford in a National Hurling League game in late 1988. O'Connor made his championship debut the following summer as Kilkenny reached the Leinster