1991 has begun well for Clare's ace defender and team captain, John O'Connell. First came his selection on the Rest of Ireland team v Cork in January, then O'Connell was chosen on the final panel for the Bank of Ireland All Star selection. Although O'Connell was to be disappointed with the centre back berth going to Jim Cashman, the Clareman was rewarded for his sterling defensive displays in the value and gold jersey, with a trip to the Skydome, Canada. The Sixmilebridge man was next chosen on the Munster Railway Cup team that lost out in the decider to Connacht at Croke Park. But it was his selection last autumn as captain of the Clare senior hurlers that gave the 25 year old De Beers employee his greatest satisfaction to date. Growing up in Sixmilebridge, the home of one of Clare's greatest defenders, Sean Stack, John O'Connell was naturally influenced by his clubman, Jimmy Barry Murphy for his supreme skill and artistry also earned the youthful O'Connell's admiration. Honours at club level came early to John, in quick succession under 14, under 16, under 18 and under 21 mementos were collected with Sixmilebridge. Then in 1983 while still in the minor ranks, O'Connell captured both under 18 and senior awards. Yet it was not as a defender that he lined out but at wing forward on the Bridge team that beat Eire Og (Ennis) after a replay. On the inter county front, honours were initially scarce, two years on the county minor side yielded no rewards. Limerick in 1986 deprived a Tommy Gilfoyle led Clare side of the Munster Under 21 title. Almost two years later, the 5'11", 12 and a half stone Sixmilebridge clubman made his senior debut v Tipperary in the NHL at Cusack Park, in autumn 1988. Due to a succession of unfortunate injuries, O'Connell was regularly in the medical wards. His senior championship debut finally came in last year's Munster Championship v Limerick at Cusack Park, Ennis. It was a losing debut as Clare lost heavily. O'Connell starred despite being the recipient of some tough marking. But O'Connell, despite the lack of senior inter county rewards, has collected a varied medal selection on his sideboard on other fronts. With Moyliesh RTC, Limerick, O'Connell collected two All-Ireland winners mementos. In 1984 Sixmilebridge captured the Munster club title at the expense of Patrickswell. Then with a star studded De Beers (Shannon) side, John collected All-Ireland winners inter firm mementos at the expense of Avonmore (Kilkenny) in 1989. That same year gave the stylish defender his greatest disappointment i.e. the loss of the Munster club title to Ballybrown. Sixmilebridge had already beaten Glen Rovers at their Cork venue at an earlier round. Expressing his disappointment with the result, O'Connell feels "I thought we were good enough to win but we didn't win, it was a great disappointment." Of course, a Limerick tie, be it a league or championship meeting, always raises the pulse in Clare hurling circles. In 1995 Clare beat Cork and Tipperary in the championship but Mackeys Greyhounds ended Clare's Munster title dreams. Some say Clare hurling has never gotten over this setback. Then in 1972, Clare beat a very useful Limerick side in the old Cusack Park. The following year Limerick were All-Ireland champions, but only after overcoming an unlucky Clare outfit in Semple Stadium by a couple of points. A 50/50 encounter John O'Connell is eagerly looking forward to Clare's meeting with Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds in the opening round of the Munster Championship on Sunday. "We have a 50/50 chance," says O'Connell. "Limerick will be favourites but we'll give it a crack," promises O'Connell. "Len Gaynor is a great motivator. Clare hurling is on the up," John enthuses, "it will take time but we have youth on our side." The Limerick tie will bring the crisp clear striking Clare defender in direct opposition with his workmates i.e. Carmody, Galligan and Ryan in the green of Limerick. In fact, Anthony Carmody, Limerick's captain could be in direct opposition to O'Connell at centre forward. Despite playing in the centre back berth where the Sixmilebridge man has earned many plaudits O'Connell if given the chance, would prefer to line out at right wing back. But the teak tough defender who plays the game still with a boyish enthusiasm, is prepared to play anywhere for Clare's blue and gold jersey if required to. Clare's 59 year wait It is difficult to understand why it was 1932 when Clare last captured a Munster senior hurling title. Eighteen years previously the All-Ireland title was captured by The Banner. With the recent revival in form of fortunes in the minor ranks, maybe the foundations are being laid. Clare's loyal supporters who have followed the fortunes of the hurlers through thick and thin but mainly the latter deserve some tangible reward for their loyalty. As John O'Connell, the Sixmilebridge clubman leads his county into another Munster senior championship campaign, the musical Fiddler on the Roof springs to mind. Tevye the Dairyman in "If I were a rich man" in his chat with God, wonders if he became a rich man would it upset some divine plan. If Clare made the breakthrough the Hills of Clare would indeed reverberate to the sound of unprecedented celebration. Meanwhile the wait continues but the expectations are the same, the dream lives on in Clare's supporters minds. All-Ireland day early September and a Clare captain lifting the McCarthy Cup aloft. Then and only then will the ghosts of yesteryear be finally banished and the Banner final unfurled to celebrate the long awaited victory. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 17th May 1991 Tweet

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