Take a bow, Thomas O’Connor.
The 17-year-old from Kilkenny has become the first former minor hurler to score at Old Trafford on Monday night, we think.
Either way, this is a stunning goal and a milestone in the player’s burgeoning career. O’Connor scored the goal for Southampton U-18s in their FA Youth Cup victory over Manchester United.
The former minor hurler collected the ball outside United’s penalty area, turned away from an opposition defender and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner.
Brilliant.
Southampton FC.GOAL: #MUFC 1-1 #SaintsFC (Thomas O'Connor 82)
O'Connor cuts inside and curls in an equaliser for Saints! pic.twitter.com/zlnyIbehms
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 12, 2016
They are worth watching again!
Check out the goals from #SaintsFC's memorable #FAYouthCup win at Old Trafford: https://t.co/FJF70FGlcc
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 13, 2016
The goal made it 1-1, after United wonderkid Tahith Chong opened the scoring with a cracking goal of his own.
A really nice goal https://t.co/NjHliJm0bs
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 13, 2016
Will Smallbone, O’Connor’s teammate won the game late on, with another great goal.
Take a bow, Will Smallbone! 🔥 #saintsfc https://t.co/bgheHEnaVz
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 12, 2016
“It’s the best game I’ve ever played in,” O’Connor said after the game.
“It was an unreal performance from the boys. Even when we went 1-0 down we still felt like there was something in it for us. Everyone just gave it their all and we got back to 2-1 in the end. Obviously when you go one down everyone is kind of nervous.
“But everyone dug deep and everyone believed that we were good enough to get those two goals back.”
The 17-year-old midfielder signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Premier League side back in May and is an Irish player definitely worth keeping an eye on for the future.
