Mickey O'Connell
Encyclopedia
Mickey O’Connell is an Irish
athlete. He plays hurling
with his local club, Midleton
, and is a former member of the Cork senior inter-county team.
Mickey O'Connell was born in Limerick
, County Limerick
in 1979. His family moved to Midleton
, County Cork
while Mickey was still young. He was educated locally and subsequently worked as a sales rep. O'Connell showed great skill as a hurler and was quickly spotted by the Cork inter-county selectors. He won Munster and All-Ireland
medals with the Cork minor side in 1995. O'Connell quickly made his way onto the under-21 side where he had more success. He won back-to-back Munster and All-Ireland
medals at under-21 level in 1997 and 1998 before making his debut at senior level.
In 1999 O'Connell won his first Munster
title before converting this into his first All-Ireland
medal following a victory over Kilkenny
. In 2000 he captured a second Munster title, however, Cork were beaten by Offaly
in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 2003 he claimned his third Munster medal but lost out in the All-Ireland final when Kilkenny emerged victorious. O'Connell subsequently was removed from the inter-county team, but he may return under the management of Gerald McCarthy.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
athlete. He plays hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club, Midleton
Midleton GAA
Midleton Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Midleton in County Cork, Ireland.-History:The concept of a Gaelic Athletic Association was first mooted in 1883 when a sub-committee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed with the ideal of...
, and is a former member of the Cork senior inter-county team.
Mickey O'Connell was born in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
in 1979. His family moved to Midleton
Midleton
Midleton, historically Middleton , is a town in south-eastern County Cork, Ireland. It lies some 22 km east of Cork City on the Owenacurra River and the N25 road, which connects Cork to the port of Rosslare...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
while Mickey was still young. He was educated locally and subsequently worked as a sales rep. O'Connell showed great skill as a hurler and was quickly spotted by the Cork inter-county selectors. He won Munster and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
medals with the Cork minor side in 1995. O'Connell quickly made his way onto the under-21 side where he had more success. He won back-to-back Munster and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
medals at under-21 level in 1997 and 1998 before making his debut at senior level.
In 1999 O'Connell won his first Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title before converting this into his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal following a victory over Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. In 2000 he captured a second Munster title, however, Cork were beaten by Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 2003 he claimned his third Munster medal but lost out in the All-Ireland final when Kilkenny emerged victorious. O'Connell subsequently was removed from the inter-county team, but he may return under the management of Gerald McCarthy.