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Rebel Retirement

Cork All-Ireland winner O'Connor brings inter-county career to an end

The experienced attacker retired in the wake of today’s loss to Tyrone.

LONG-SERVING FORWARD Donncha O’Connor has brought the curtain down on his Cork senior football career.

Donncha O'Connor Donncha O'Connor made his final appearance for Cork in today's loss to Tyrone. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

O’Connor announced his retirement in the wake of Cork’s 2018 championship exit this evening in Portlaoise when they suffered a heavy Round 4 qualifier defeat to Tyrone.

The 37-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in the Cork attack in O’Moore Park, for what transpired to be his final appearance for the Rebels.

O’Connor’s departure severs another link with Cork’s 2010 All-Ireland winning team. An integral part of that triumph, O’Connor hit 0-5 in that final success over Down and 1-5 in the semi-final victory over Dublin.

Donncha O'Connor celebrates after the game Donncha O'Connor celebrates Cork's final victory over Down in 2010. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Injuries curbed his involvement last summer after he had decided to commit for another campaign. Last summer saw him illustrate his ability to make an impact, shooting 0-6 in the Munster final against Kerry and contributing the same tally in the All-Ireland qualifier loss to Mayo.

The Ballydesmond club man was a latecomer to inter-county football. He was a sub on the Cork team that won the All-Ireland junior football title in 2005 but came off the bench in that final to score 0-2 and was brought onto the senior squad afterwards by senior manager Billy Morgan.

He made his inter-county debut for Cork in 2006 against Dublin and became a regular starter for Cork after that. Aside from the 2010 All-Ireland success, he won four Munster senior football medals and claimed four National league medals.

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