Our podcast guest this week is Clare legend Jamesie O’Connor ahead of the first Munster Hurling final between Clare and Limerick since 1995.
In detailing his inter-county journey from u14 to senior level, we learn about his journey that would culminate in All Ireland glory with his club and county.
Jamesie describes his hurling apprenticeship in St. Flannan’s, getting a taste for the big days and winning a Munster Minor hurling championship with Clare in 1989. Clare went on to play a star studded Offaly team that year in the All Ireland Minor Final.
Jamesie talks about his playing days in the great hurling nursery of St Flannans College great mentors and coaches in the school, especially Bishop Willie Walsh and Fr Seamus Gardiner.
He talks about this Harty Cup successes of 1989 and 1990 and how they were denied all Ireland success by the legendary DJ Carey of St. Kierans of Kilkenny.
He talks about the golden age of St Joesph’s which started with county championships successes in 1990 and ’93 and the clubs subsequent all Ireland Senior Cub glory against Athenry.
Jamesie tells us about the highs and lows of playing for Clare during the revolution years of the 90’s.
Finally, Jamesie shares what it was like to play under Eamon O’Shea and Ger Loughnane, and what he learned from these two very different hurling innovators.
Every Tuesday Fergal O’Keeffe interviews well known Irish stars on the GAA Minor Moments Podcast who share memories from their early sporting careers and reflect on the defining moments from playing Minor and how that shaped them both on and off the pitch.
Listen to the GAA Minor Moments Podcast, brought to you by electric Ireland here https://www.electricireland.ie/gaa-minor-championships
