Leo O'Connor

Leo O'Connor (born 1967) is an Irish hurling manager and former player. At club level, he played hurling and Gaelic football with Claughaun and at inter-county level with the Limerick senior hurling team.

Playing career

O'Connor played hurling at all grades as a student at Limerick CBS. He was part of the school's senior team that lost to St Finbarr's College in the final of the Dr Harty Cup in 1984.

At club level, O'Connor began his career as a dual player at juvenile and underage levels with Claughaun, winning a Limerick MAFC title in 1985, as well as Limerick U21AHC medals in 1984 and 1987. After beginning his career as a goalkeeper, he later became an outfield player after progressing to senior level. O'Connor was part of the Claughaun teams that claimed a SHC-SFC double in 1986. He claimed a further five Limerick SFC medals between 1988 and 1996. O'Connor ended his club career after adding a Limerick IHC medal to his collection in 2006.

At inter-county level, O'Connor first played for Limerick as part of the minor team that beat Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland MHC title in 1984. He progressed to the under-21 team and won consecutive Munster U21HC titles, before claiming an All-Ireland U21HC medal after a 2-15 to 3-06 win over Galway in the 1987 final.

O'Connor joined the senior team in 1988, but was on and off the team over the course of the following few years. He collected his first silverware as a panel member when Limerick won the National Hurling League title in 1992. O'Connor later won a Munster SHC medal, before lining out in Limerick's defeat by Offaly in the 1994 All-Ireland final.

Management career

In retirement from playing, O'Connor became involved in team management and coaching at all levels. As Limerick's under-21 team manager, he guided them to the Munster U21HC title in 2011. He also became coach of the Mayo senior hurling team before returning to Limerick as minor and intermediate team manager.

O'Connor later became heavily involved with Offaly and managed the minor team to a defeat by Tipperary in the 2022 All-Ireland minor final. He continued his association with the team as under-21 manager, however, Offaly lost the 2023 All-Ireland under-20 final to Cork. O'Connor's under-21 team claimed the All-Ireland U20HC title after beating Tipperary by 2-20 to 2-14 in the 2024 All-Ireland under-21 final.

Honours Player

Claughaun Limerick Senior Football Championship: 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship: 1986 Limerick Intermediate Hurling Championship: 2006 Limerick Under-21 Hurling Championship: 1984, 1987 Limerick Minor Football Championship: 1985

Limerick National Hurling League: 1991–92 Munster Senior Hurling Championship: 1994 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship: 1987 Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship: 1987 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship: 1984 Munster Minor Hurling Championship: 1984

Management

Limerick Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship: 2011

Offaly All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Championship: 2024 Leinster Under-20 Hurling Championship: 2023, 2024 Leinster Minor Hurling Championship: 2022