JERRY O’CONNOR admits that the Cork hurling strikes were a cause of great stress – but the two-time All-Ireland SHC winner has no regrets.
During his decorated playing career with the Rebels, O’Connor was involved in strike action on three occasions.
The players made a landmark decision to withdraw their services in 2002 as they clashed with the county board over basic demands like gym membership, training gear and meals.
When the matter was settled, O’Connor and his team-mates held up their end of the bargain by reaching the next four Liam MacCarthy Cup finals.
Disputes over managerial appointments were at the root of two further strikes that occurred between 2007 and 2009.
O’Connor’s career will be profiled alongside that of his twin brother Ben on the latest episode of Laochra Gael, which airs on TG4 tonight at 9.30pm.
Reflecting on the strikes, he said: “It was a stressful time. But at the end of the day, it was done for a reason. And I think the reason that it was done for, it has improved conditions for all Cork teams since then.
“It’s been onward and upward. You won’t hear anybody complaining about the way teams are prepared or looked after in Cork.”
Having won back-to-back All-Irelands in 2004 and 2005, Cork had slipped down the pecking order by the time O’Connor retired from inter-county hurling following a 2011 qualifier loss to Galway.
The Newtownshandrum star added: “Of course I’d like to be playing now but, having said that, there’s no way I’d change my time. I played for ten or 11 years, I had an unbelievable time.
“Unfortunately we were caught up in strikes but that’s all part of life. These things were sorted and everything was done for the betterment of Cork hurling.
“Things improved. There was a standard set after those strikes and I think it’s gotten better and better since. I was happy to have played when I played.”
Twenty years have now passed since O’Connor claimed the game’s top individual prize after excelling at midfield alongside Tom Kenny.
The 2005 Hurler of the Year said: “We complemented one another. Both of us were able to move a little bit and it was just amazing – it was like putting on an old pair of shoes, we just fitted together well.
“We knew what each other was at and we’d always have a quick chat before the ball was thrown in, ‘I’m going to be here, you must be there’ and vice-versa.
“It was just kind of natural to the two of us – we knew what we were at. To be fair, playing with Tom, he made it very easy – he was an athlete, a great player – and look at all the good players we had around us”
*JERRY O’CONNOR and twin brother Ben will be profiled on the latest episode of Laochra Gael, which airs tonight on TG4 at 9.30pm.
