O’Connor enjoying Wayne’s new world
ADAM O’Connor attributes St Joseph’s change of fortunes in 2016 to one man - and he’s from the wrong side of the tracks!
After losing four successive semi-finals the Joe’s needed a fresh impetus and maybe a different outlook and they seem to have found it in Wayne McKeever, who guided neighbours O’Connell’s to intermediate success in 2012. O’Connor, for one, is a convert. ‘It was becoming a bit of struggle alright, but I think it’s down to Wayne (McKeever). He’s makes you feel really confident and gives you that feeling that you’re never going to lose and he has that ability to drive us on.
‘He’s fantastic to have around. He makes you play better and everyone buys into what he’s saying and we’re sticking with his gameplan.
‘I think we’ve gelled this year and we’re moving very well and we trust each other, which I think is important.
‘If we can get over this one and keep buying into what Wayne is trying to do you never know where it could go.’
The semi-final win was a huge monkey of the Joe’s backs and while they just missed out on promotion in the league O’Connor felt the play-off defeat to Clans may have just what their season needed.
‘The Hunterstown game was a tough one because they’re so strong defensively but I felt we just had a little bit too much for them and it was a great one to win.
‘We were very disappointed after the Clans game, but maybe it came at a good time and it was what we needed going into the Hunterstown game.
‘Even before the Clans game we hadn’t lost in six or seven games and even though we didn’t play well at all that day, I think it could help us in the end.’
Hunterstown’s near-neighbours Mattock Rangers now stand between the Joe’s and a return to the senior ranks, but the sides haven’t crossed paths in recent years.
‘I wouldn’t know too much about them apart from their main players. The Reids and Christy Grimes are very experienced players. Guys like that will score, but we have to try to keep it as low as possible and hopefully we’ll do more scoring than they will.’
They did beat Mattock on the way to Joe Ward in 2006, but while Adam remembers very little about that game, he hopes the 10-year anniversary falls again.
‘It’s 20 years ago so the whole team is different now, but ‘96, ‘06 - hopefully 2016 too.’
An adult final is new territory for most of the Joe’s squad, but Adam insists they are relishing it.
‘The buzz around the village is class and even coming up here to train with a final coming up is a great feeling.
‘I don’t see us losing, I’m very confident.’