Joe O’Connor: Kerry’s unexpected midfield star

Wayne Quillinan, who managed Joe O'Connor at club level with Austin Stacks, said what the 25-year-old "grasped very early is the true value of hard work".

Kerry's Joe O'Connor celebrates a score during his side's Munster SFC semi-final victory against Cork. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Kerry’s midfield baton has passed once again. A new and somewhat unexpected No.8 prince. Stepping forward is Joe O’Connor to settle concerns around Kerry’s problem department. Or, as Marc Ó Sé likes to term it, Kerry’s “needy area”.

Three years ago, O’Connor was fifth in the same midfield pecking order. And that’s only when he had to be considered as a midfield option.