Sean O'Connell

Inter-county O'Connell along with some of his Ballerin club-mates represented Derry at Minor level, On 24 August, Derry caused one of the biggest shocks in the history of Gaelic football when the first-time Ulster Champions beat Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final 2-06 to 2–05 They did however reach the National League final in both 1958/59 and 1960/61, but they lost out to Kerry on both occasions, partly due to O'Connell being suspended for both deciders – he was suspended because he played soccer, which was against GAA rules at the time (Rule 27). and won further Ulster Championships in 1970, 1975 and 1976 He was an outspoken critic of the GAA's Rule 27 which prohibited its players from playing foreign sports, and received a ban for playing the sport. He was also a decent golfer and in his youth participated in boxing as well as basketball.

Managerial career O'Connell was manager when Derry Minors won the Ulster Minor and All-Ireland Minor Championships in 1965. He was also manager of the Derry Under 21 team who won Ulster Under 21 and All-Ireland Under 21 Championships three years later in 1968. Many were surprised that he was never given the job of Derry Senior manager. He also served five years as manager of Ballerin and was also Chairman of the club for five years.

Honours

County All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: Runner up: 1958 National Football League: Runner up: 1958–1959, 1960–1961, 1975–76 Ulster Senior Football Championship: Winner (4): 1958, 1970, 1975, 1976 Runner up: 1957, 1971 Dr McKenna Cup: Winner (5): Years? Dr Lagan Cup: Winner (1): Year?

Club All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship: Runner up: 1976–77 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship: Winner (1): 1976 Derry Senior Football Championship: Winner (2): 1957, 1976 Runner up: 1953, 1964, 1965, 1972

Province Railway Cup – Winner (5): 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971

Individual All Star: Winner (1): 1967 Replacement: 1976 Nominated (runner up): ?? Derry Senior football captain: Ye Captain of Derry Ulster Championship winning team: 1970 Captain of Ulster Railway Cup winning team: 1971 Top scorer in All-Ireland Championship: 1974, 1975

Manager / coach

Derry Under 21s All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship: Winner (1): 1968 Ulster Under-21 Football Championship: Winner (1/2??): 1967??, 1968

Derry Minors All-Ireland Minor Football Championship: Winner (1): 1965 Ulster Minor Football Championship: Winner (1): 1965

St Patrick's College, Dungiven Ulster title: Winner (1): 1965