Ben out for win despite ‘unfair’ club format

HE has played in two finals, winning one (back in 2004), will be facing Tipperary champions Thurles Sarsfields this Sunday in Thurles in yet another campaign, but Newtownshandrum’s Ben O’Connor is not in favour of the All-Ireland club hurling championships as currently constituted.

“No,” he says, firmly and unapologetically, “I’m not a fan of them being played in February and March, I think they should be played off in the calendar year. It’s not fair on any club to have to play right up to March, and then have to start off in their own championships again.

“We started training at the start of January this year, and we’re still training; whoever wins the Munster championship this year might get a bit of a break over Christmas but you’re straight back into it again then in January, and you’re not just getting started, either, tipping away, you’re trying to prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final.” In making this argument, Ben isn’t thinking just of himself and his twin Jerry, both of whom are regulars on the inter-county scene with Cork.