I want to show I haven’t lost any desire and truly care: O’connor

HE’S still very much a young pup in the grand scheme of things but, at the age of 31, Alan O’connor is now one of Ulster’s elder statesmen.

Only nine caps off reaching the double-century for his adopted province, the Skerries man has been there, done it and got multiple T-shirts from his experiences in the URC and European Cups, both during Ulster’s most successful spells and the ones like they’re in now.

With just two wins in their last seven games, out of Europe and battling just to make the URC Play-offs let alone earn home seeding in the knockouts, you wouldn’t overly blame players if their desire waned somewhat.

But not for O’connor. Having made his comeback from an injury sustained in January against Montpellier a couple of weeks ago, he has no intentions of sitting out games and letting the rest of the season pass him by.

“It is a good opportunity to show what you are about every week and a good test at the end of the week to show what you have been working on, are you going to improve from the week before,” retorts the second-row.

“I think as well if you are playing consistently you are going to be better in my opinion, the more game time you have the more used to it you’re going to be.

“I want to be involved as much as I can and, if I break down, so be it.

“You want to prove it to yourself and everyone that cares about you and to the people that come out here and pay to watch us play. You want to prove to them that you care a lot and you want to prove that we don’t take it lightly representing the whole province in Ireland.”

Out of contract at the end of the season, O’connor knows that after their Challenge Cup disappointment, the URC may offer his last chance at silverware with the province.

Having joined the province’s academy in 2012, it’s been a long 12 years without lifting a trophy, but the lock isn’t concerned with all things that glitter as Ulster barrel towards the Play-offs, with five games left to secure their spot.

“You try not to think about that too much as every week comes in hard and fast,” adds O’connor on his trophy ambitions.

“Last year I was really annoyed how that Quarter-final (against Connacht) went.

“This year it was definitely more of an ask going over to Clermont after three tough away games as well, but I’m trying my best for it.”