Brian O'Connell (hurler)

Brian O'Connell (born 17 February 1984) is an Irish former hurler and manager. At club level he played with Wolfe Tones, and also lined out at inter-county level with various Clare teams. O'Connell has been the Clare minor hurling team manager since 2021.

Brian O'Connell
Personal information
Irish name Brian Ó Conaill[1][2]
Sport Hurling
Position Right wing-back
Born (1984-02-17) 17 February 1984
Shannon,
County Clare, Ireland
Nickname BOC
Occupation Carpenter
Club(s)
Years Club
 Wolfe Tones
Club titles
Clare titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2003-2010; 2012-2013
 Clare
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 0
All-Irelands 0
NHL 0
All Stars 0

Playing career

Born in Shannon, County Clare, O'Connell first played hurling at juvenile and underage levels with the Wolfe Tones club. He eventually progressed to adult level and won a Clare SHC medal after a defeat of Newmarket-on-Fergus in 2006.[3]

O'Connell first appeared on the inter-county scene with Clare as a member of the minor team in 2002.[4] He later spent three consecutive seasons with the under-21 team. O'Connell was drafted onto the senior team in 2003 and served as captain for three consecutive seasons, including during Clare's 2008 Munster final defeat by Tipperary.[5]

O'Connell, who worked as a carpenter, emigrated to Australia in 2010, citing a lack of work in Ireland.[6] He was one of the first high-profile hurlers to leave due to work commitments.[7] O'Connell returned home in 2012 and immediately re-joined the Clare team.[8] A series of ongoing injuries forced him to leave the panel in early 2013.[9]

Management career

O'Connell began his coaching career at club level as a selector with the Wolfe Tones senior team. He was appointed manager of the Clare minor team in December 2021, having spent two years working with the group of players at academy level.[10] O'Connell guided the team to the Munster MHC title and All-Ireland MHC title in 2023.[11]

Honours

Player
Wolfe Tones
Clare

Manager
Clare

References
  1. "Christian Name and Surnames in Irish: B". Irish Identity website. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  2. "Christian Name and Surnames in Irish: C". Irish Identity website. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  3. "Underdog McPhillips springs Tones off the leash". Irish Independent. 23 October 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  4. "Munster MHC". Irish Independent. 9 May 2002. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  5. "Tipperary reign supreme in Munster". Irish Times. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  6. "Departure of O'Connell a huge loss for county". The Clare Champion. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  7. "GAA losing 250 players a month to emigration". Irish Independent. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  8. "Clare GAA players on the move". Hogan Stand. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  9. "Fitzgerald faces injury crisis". Irish Examiner. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  10. "Brian O'Connell: There was enough negative press last year - It would be great to swing that around". Irish Examiner. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  11. "Second-half scoring burst key as Clare land first minor hurling title since 2011". Irish Examiner. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
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