O’Connor on course for cult hero status in Cork
DAIRE O’CONNOR supports Manchester United where his favourite player is Alexis Sanchez. The link is fitting, for the erudite O’Connor has the same capacity to excite as the Chilean forward. It’s early days for O’Connor at Cork City but he could, in due course, become a cult hero for the ‘Cross faithful. On Friday night, he was the best City player on view at Richmond Park where his close control, dribbling skills and pinpoint crossing stood out like a beacon, even though City lost 1-0. Watching in the main stand was former Saints manager Pat Dolan, who has compared O’Connor to Lionel Messi in his newspaper column. ‘I got the article forwarded onto me alright. I read it, I didn’t know how to respond. If I can put joy in everyone’s heart, the fans, I’ll be happy,’ says O’Connor. The 21-year-old, who is comfortable on either flank, or playing just behind a central striker, played like a seasoned Premier Division performer on Friday, not a rookie straight out of UCD’s sheltered ranks. ‘Coming from the First Division, I was probably unknown. I set a couple of goals with myself to try and break into the team. ‘To be honest, I didn’t expect it so soon. But once John (Caulfield) gave me the opportunity, it’s a cut-throat business and you have to take it.’ Clearly, he is revelling in the step-up from the First Division to the top flight. ‘I was at UCD four years and it was all about player development, character building, education — all the important values instilled in players. ‘The minute I met John the whole dynamic was different. ‘When Cork came calling, it would have been hard for any First Division footballer to turn down, anyone in my position would have done the same time, to go into fulltime football. ‘As great as UCD were, and the facilities and infrastructure there are second to none, this is a man’s game now. It’s a step up. I need to adapt and get used to it. ‘It’s a bit of a contrast from playing in Belfield last year in front of maybe 100 or 200 people. ‘It’s great and it does add that 5 per cent or 10pc to my game,’ he adds, noting that versatility is a key part of his make-up. ‘Left wing, right wing or No 10, I play the same no matter where I’m playing. I try to drive at defenders and cause problems.’ After defeats in the President’s Cup and in their opening league game of the season, there is a certain focus on City now. ‘We’ve two quick-fire games, Waterford on Friday and Sligo on the Monday. If we come away with six points, those critics will fall away. ‘If they don’t go our way, there’ll be more pressure.’ Not that City were poor on Friday. But for Brendan Clarke’s first-half brilliance, they could have been in front by the break, rather than behind to a needless penalty. ‘It was a matter of inches. Give credit to Brendan Clarke I was right down by the end line and it was a great save he made in the first half. ‘We had two goal-line clearances. If they go in, we come away with three points and the whole perspective is changed. ‘We’ve been in since the start of December, so it’s not a question of gelling. ‘We all know our games inside out. It comes to luck I suppose, ball breaking a different way. It will come.’