For determined Donncha O’Connor, little things make the difference

It is the “stupid little things” that both drive Donncha O’Connor forward and hold him back.

The 34-year old says he never once contemplated retirement when returning for a 10th season with the Cork footballers and yet he is forever being edged towards the exit door by “stupid little injuries”.

O’Connor twisted his ankle when introduced as an early second-half sub against Mayo at the end of March and feared a reoccurrence of the ankle injury which sidelined him for Cork’s entire Munster championship campaign last summer.