Jack O’Connor set for Cork return after Sarsfields adventure

Talented Rebels forward dismisses speculation he intends to go travelling

Sarsfields’ Jack O'Connor, left, celebrates scoring his side's first goal with Daniel Hogan during the shock win over fancied Ballygunner in the Munster final at Thurles. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Sarsfields’ Jack O'Connor, left, celebrates scoring his side's first goal with Daniel Hogan during the shock win over fancied Ballygunner in the Munster final at Thurles. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Jack O’Connor has been on an exciting journey with Sarsfields in recent months – but the Cork forward insists he has no plans to travel any further afield later this year.

There has been plenty of chatter on Leeside that the 26-year-old was to take a break from Pat Ryan’s Cork squad and instead spend some time travelling in 2025 – but it seems to be nothing more than a rumour. .

Cork fans will be relieved to hear that O’Connor fully intends to don the famed blood and bandages shirt again this season.

“That was actually a false rumour that was spread by one of the lads. I won’t be going travelling at all this year,” he says. “One of the work lads put up a story saying it and it just caught fire, I think Rob [Downey] reposted it on his story and it just caught fire. There were people asking my parents down in the shop if I am going away and stuff? But no, I’m not going anywhere.

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“In fairness to Pat, he’s been letting us off for the last few weeks so that we can focus on the club. I’m sure I’ll speak to him after the match on Sunday as regards a plan.”

Right now, all plans revolve around the eagerly-awaited clash with Na Fianna. Sarsfields are already in uncharted territory as this will be their first appearance in an All-Ireland club senior hurling final.

They are the first Cork side to contest a senior hurling final since Newtownshandrum in 2006. And Newtownshandrum’s 2004 triumph remains the last time a Leeside outfit actually won the Tommy Moore Cup.

“It’s incredible to think really that you’re going up to Croke Park with some of your best friends since you were four or five years old, your family and your cousins and all that,” adds O’Connor. “I don’t think anyone would have seen this coming, so it’s great.”

Especially after the Glanmire outfit suffered a nine-point loss to divisional side Imokilly in the Cork SHC final last October. But with Imokilly ineligible for the Munster SHC, Sarsfields were tasked with picking up the pieces for a provincial campaign.

“Losing a county final is always tough,” recalls O’Connor. “But watching the game back a few days later, you were kind of thinking that there’s way more in us. We felt that we didn’t do ourselves justice in that game.

“We just said we’d have a go [at Munster] and see where it takes us. Here we are now.”

Sarsfields will travel to Dublin on Saturday afternoon. It is an extra logistical consideration for the Cork side because Na Fianna, in contrast, are based only a short walk from Croke Park.

“You’re spending time with people who you’d spend time with every day of the week anyway,” says O’Connor. “It might be difficult for some people, sleeping in a new bed and stuff, but look, I’m sure we’ll handle it.”

*Sarsfields (Cork) will play Na Fianna (Dublin) in the AIB All-Ireland club senior hurling championship final at Croke Park on Sunday, 1.30pm.

Gordon Manning

Gordon Manning

Gordon Manning is a sports journalist, specialising in Gaelic games, with The Irish Times