Banner bosses hail O’Connell

Members of the victorious Clare set-up paid tribute to Gearóid O’Connell, who lined out at wing-back despite the passing of his father earlier this month.

Gerry O’Connell, 57, was found dead next to his tractor on Wednesday, September 3, shortly before 10pm in Ballyea. His son, Gearóid, was on target in Saturday’s U21 decider, applauded off the field when substituted on 48 minutes.

“That just shows the character of the man,” said Tony Kelly. “I went up to the field on Thursday morning, the day after his father had passed, and he was outside pucking the ball. He was on about going training on Friday night. He trained over the weekend and he came in to training with a smile on his face, a hard thing to do and I suppose its credit to the man to come out here this evening, tog out and put in a big performance as well.”