A star is born.
Those in Wexford hurling circles know all about Rory O’Connor at this stage. He may be only 18 years of age, but he has been cutting it up in the sunny-south-east for the last few of those.
The St. Martin’s star comes from good hurling stock, with his father John and uncle George having their names firmly in Wexford folklore after their contribution to that famous 1996 triumph.
Rory is the youngest of the O’Connor brothers, with older siblings Harry and Jack county under-21 and senior team members this year, while cousin Joe is also a budding Model county star.
That’s some dynasty of talent, but there’s loads more of that in the club, with Maddocks, Firmans and loads more exuberant young talent rising through the underage ranks over the last few years.
The Piercestown club have been winning under-16, minor and under-21 Championships but they’re now nine years without a senior cup.
Fuelled by the vivacious youngsters, this year was seen as a big chance for them to bridge that gap, and after Sunday’s semi-final triumph over Conor McDonald’s Gorey based club, Naomh Eanna, they could well be in line for it.
The two sides played out a hard-fought encounter in Innovate Wexford Park, with the fleet-footed corner forward Rory O’Connor eventually proving the difference, racking up 2-5 for himself.
Judging by the club’s Twitter account, he could well have managed 2-10, such was his involvement in the game, and he wasn’t getting away with it from their tongue-in-cheek Twitter account controller.
Despite scoring his second goal of the game early on in the second half, he was taking flak soon after for hitting a wide. They take no prisoners down in St. Martin’s.
Rory wide, take him off!
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
He was then called out for every errant shot that came off his stick.
Rory wide from the sideline
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
Indeed, the man behind the keyboard gave us an entertaining summation of the game, with the highlight being his description of Willie Devereux’s head injury.
Michael Codd on, Mikey Coleman off. Willie Devereux down, being tested for brain activity by Mr Mernagh.
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
Update, he has a brain and is okay to play on.
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
He played on, and his heroic goal-line clearance in the second half had calls for the sales in his ice-cream to start booming.
Willie saves a goal on the line! He deserves a huge spike in Scúp sales for that!!!
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
There was emotion in it, there was personality, that’s how we want to see all matches reported on Twitter.
Jake's 3rd point, little gem, 0-9 to 0-5.
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
They even gave us some Gaeilge.
Jacko points from lár na páirce, 0-12 to 0-9
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
On they march to the final.
All over, 2-18 to 1-14, good performance and we're into the county final! Hard luck Gorey but well done our players and managment! pic.twitter.com/cxvhSTH1r5
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) October 8, 2017
