Mick O'Connell and the fight for every inch of independence

In November 2002, Mick O'Connell suffered an injury playing rugby for Dolphin that almost killed him and meant he would never walk again. Nobody knew what his future looked like. It became a full life he loves

Mick O'Connell at Aviva Stadium

Sunday May 11, 2003. Despite driving rain and strong winds, 8,000 people run and walk and trot out of Musgrave Park and fill Pearse Road on a 5k fun run route. Cork has rallied for Mick O’Connell’s future.

Mick’s underage teammates Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer run. Donal Lenihan, Frankie Sheahan and Tom Kiernan are here. There are hurlers, soccer players. Later in the afternoon, the Cork footballers will be shocked by Limerick at the Páirc, but All-Ireland club champions Nemo Rangers field a sizeable contingent at the run.