Evening Echo, October 13, 2003

The slogan on Newtownshandrum’s t-shirt summed it all up best – “if Carlsberg did world class hurlers it would probably be Ben O’Connor.”

There was many a toast to the Cork star in the tiny hamlet last night and probably into the early hours of today as well. When it comes to discussing individual contributions to a cause his name will be forever linked to Newtown’s second Cork CO Senior Hurling Championship title in four years at Pairc Ui Chaiomh yesterday.

O’Connor dazzled brilliantly, lighting up a typical grey October afternoon with his vast array of skills, awesome speed and point scoring ability which made the hair on the back your neck stand up in admiration.

He scored 0-10 in total, three from frees, another from an exquisite sideline cut in front of the open stand and six from play, the majority struck off his left. When you think of the quality of Blackrock defenders on show – Wayne Sherlock, Fergal Ryan and Alan Cummins - it speaks volumes about O’Connor’s scoring ability, especially as it was a repeat of last year’s decider.

Among all his scores, one sticks out from the rest and epitomised what he’s capable of producing with hurley and ball. It was his third point in-a-row, coming after 42 minutes as the rain cascaded from the Heavens, sending supporters dashing for shelter. O’Connor managed to nip in front of Ryan, extend his hurley in the air and control the dropping ball.

Within an eye’s blink he sent it on its way, dissecting the posts for a super score. Coach Ger Cunningham believes that O’Connor’s unique among hurlers. “I’ve yet to coach a forward like him. “The first touch that that man has all year round is incredible to take scores is remarkable,” he said.

“Captain John McCarthy and his fellow defenders aim to clear the ball in his direction, when the opportunities arise. “Ben’s got great ability to get away from his marker and that’s one of the reasons for our victory. The Rockies just ran out of pace,” he said.

O’Connor accepted the Man of the Match award at a lunch in Blarney Park Hotel this afternoon on behalf of the whole panel. “It’s a mice honour for me, but really this is for everyone who started out training back in February. “There were 26 or 27 of us out every night. No fellow stayed at home by the fire, when he could have, only the genuine excuses were accepted,” he said.

This time 12 months ago O’Connor and the rest of the Newtown squad bit their lip and accepted defeat at the hands of the same opponents. The memory of that grave disappointment drove them on this season. “We under performed, because we got carried away with all the hype in the build up and it got to us.

“This year we were focused on beating Blackrock and to prove our win in 200 wasn’t a fluke. “It was said that we only won because they lost to Midleton in the early rounds, but there can be no qualms about it now.

“We are the beat team in Cork and there is no doubt that Newtownshandrum deserve to be county champions.”

O’Connor never panicked, even when Adrian Coughlan’s penalty skidded on the treacherous surface to cut their lead to two points with seven minutes left. “I knew there wasn’t much time left and we were playing with a very strong wind. Once we got the ball down to the forwards I knew we could put the pressure on to get a few more scores.

“And our fitness stood to us as well. We were burning up ground with five minutes to go and were able to go to the final whistle.” O’Connor was delighted with the 17 points, though a goal would have been the icing on the cake. “I thought some of the points we scored in the rain and mist in the second half were first class.”

“I think the main difference between now and last year was our attitude. We got a cooking from our coach last year, wrongly. “People might say it’s sour grapes that we’re talking about him now, but we got a raw deal. “Fellows were better prepared this time and the attitude from day one among the panel was better two.” The result is there to see and admire”