Columns - Irish Examiner

Sign in

christyoconnor(1)

Christy O'Connor

Christy O'Conner is a former top-level goalkeeper turned acclaimed hurling writer, with an intimate and unique understanding of gaelic games.

Adam Hogan and David McInerney clash with Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien 3/5/2026

Talking Points: Limerick show where bar is, Beggan leads by example

Elsewhere, the Dubs made their case for the defence.

Sun, 03 May, 2026

Clare v Waterford - Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1

S Christy O'Connor Talking Points: Clare need to improve scoring average against Limerick

Down do everything possible – and it still may not be enough while Ger Brennan just has to grin and bear the cost.

Fri, 01 May, 2026

Cork v Limerick - Munster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Round 2

Christy O'Connor's Talking Points: It's now clear these Rebels have Limerick's number

The Treaty men couldn’t get Shane O'Brien on the ball close to goal. All afternoon. It was just one sign of how Cork have cracked the code.

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Munster GAA Senior Hurling and Football Championship Launch 2026

S Christy O'Connor Talking Points: Tipp and Waterford already dangling close to the precipice

Conor Cahalane’s long journey to this point while Roscommon are never more reliant on Murtagh and Smith.

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Offaly v Dublin - Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Round 1

S Christy O'Connor: Clare set new record and Offaly taste rock-and-roll days

Plus Galway pull another rabbit out of the hat

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Cork v Tipperary - GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final

S Christy O'Connor: How can Tipperary break the damning pattern of history?

Since Tipp last won successive All-Irelands in 1964-’65, they’ve never got to grips with that task of retaining the Liam MacCarthy.

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Armagh v Tyrone - Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Preliminary Round

S Christy O'Connor Talking Points: Tyrone’s conversion rate from distance comes back to haunt them

Elsewhere Laois continue to work a magic that has died for Offaly and Munster’s silent rivalries.

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Tipperary v Waterford - Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final

S Christy O'Connor: The Munster championship that nearly never was

Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford were infuriated by the proposal which would have seen Cork and Kerry seeded for the 2026 Munster SFC.

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

Dublin v Down - Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

S Christy O'Connor Talking Points: Niall Ó Ceallacháin driven by detail on mission to lift Dublin hurling

Dublin boss Niall Ó Ceallacháin has built his managerial career on that approach of establishing the framework and culture and then getting the best people around him to maximise potential.

Fri, 03 Apr, 2026

Carlow v Longford - Allianz Football League Division 4 Final

Talking Points: What's rare is wonderful for Carlow at Croke Park

Plus Kerry's second-heaviest loss in Croke Park in their history.

Mon, 30 Mar, 2026