Cork boss reveals why Arsenal can take credit for their superb form

What a Connection!

The hurling manager has made it clear in the past that he is an avid Arsenal supporter.

And the Newtownshandrum native believes the Gunners winning the league can inspire every team with hope to prove their doubters wrong.

However, at one stage that didn't look like it would be the case.

While the Rebels were exacting revenge on their All-Ireland defeat from last year, Arsenal were losing to Manchester City.

The 47-year-old coach recalled his feelings from the day: “The first day above in Tipperary (April 19), we were having a bite to eat in the dressing room and Shane Barrett sat down alongside me with a big smile on his face.

"He said, 'City are after beating Arsenal', and he was delighted with it.

“I said to him, 'Barrett, that'll make no difference, Arsenal will still win the league', and that's what happened. But it was great.

"For Arsenal to win the league after 22 years and us to qualify for a Munster final, it was a good day-out. The small fellas were happy going home in the car anyway.

“They're multi-millionaires, we're not – there aren't many parallels to draw there! They're all getting paid for what they're doing, and we're here for enjoyment purposes.

"No, look, it just shows, Arsenal had been written off and they went on and won the league this year. It just gives everyone a bit of hope.”

The Rebel County manager in the past has praised Gunners supremo, Mikel Arteta - highlighting the Spaniard's team's work ethic off-the-ball.

However, he wasn't a fan of Arsenal's behind-the-scenes documentary, "All or Nothing".

O'Connor admitted: “I wouldn't be a fan of fellas inside in the dressing room seeing what's going in. I'd like to keep everything in-house.

"I suppose you just see how the other side live, don't you? How pampered fellas are and what they're giving out about.

"They weren't above in Na Piarsaigh running around in the wind and the cold on November 17.”