Not one of the bigger names, but Kildare's Peter McConnon is a vital part of Micko's army Like many others in our county Peter McConnon is something of a Kildareman by accident. Yes, there are no marks for guessing that McConnon is a northern name. What you probably would never guess is the fact that Peter's grandfather (also Peter McConnon) played for Monaghan in the All-Ireland final of 1930. So as they say round the Curragh, "the bloodlinks are ok", writes Lilywhite. Peter McConnon plays his football not too far from the headquarters of Irish racing. He's a member of Round Towers club in Kildare town. The boys in black and amber are enjoying plenty of the limelight at present. No less than 4 of their number, keeper Kieran Moran, Noel Donlon, Glen Ryan and McConnon are regular first teamers with the Lilywhites. Recent recruit Lorcan Barden (scion of the Longford dynasty) has been making a name for himself in challenge games for his adopted county also. But it's not so long ago since the Towers were in intermediate football. 1988 was the breakthrough year for this once proud club. The intermediate title was annexed that year and Peter McConnon was a vital component in that particular Towers machine. Peter's efforts were rewarded with the captaincy of Kildare juniors the following year. McConnon lifted the provincial cup that year but has dismal memories of the All-Ireland final against Cork in Thurles on the hottest Saturday evening of the year. The Rebel County men won by the proverbial cricket score and McConnon could be forgiven had he felt that he was on the inter county scrapheap. Far from it in fact, as the call up to the senior squad followed quickly and Peter's been around ever since. McConnon first donned the white of Kildare as a minor in 1985 on a team beaten in the Leinster Championship by Meath. Recognition by the under 21 selectors quickly followed and the career of Peter McConnon, inter county footballer, was up and running. But it could all have been so different. For during his early teen years the tall youngster had gotten involved with the local Kildare AC. Such was his talent as a cross country runner that he picked up more than 20 All-Ireland team awards at underage level. On the track guided by his dad Peter Snr., he took All-Ireland individual honours in the Under 17 800 metres. It wasn't until he went to Waterford RTC to pursue a course in Recreational Management that Peter drifted back to gaelic football. In Waterford he came under the influence of one of the unsung heroes of Cumman Luthchleas Gael, college lecturer Eugene McKenna, a man who does trojan work for our games at this level. So deeply did Peter become involved in the colleges scene that he served as Chairman of the Waterford RTC club for a couple of years. During that period McConnon picked up a Leinster award as well as an All-Ireland freshers medal in 1987. Peter is quick to cite Eugene McKenna as one of the major influences on his playing career. Another man to have a major input into the moulding of Peter as a fledgling footballer was Kerry born De La Salle BNS Kildare school teacher John Looney. Under John's tutelage Peter and his pals had taken Under 10 and Under 11 primary school titles. By comparison the underage years with Round Towers were lean enough trophy wise, apart from a Minor League Division 1 victory over Sarsfields. Following graduation from Waterford RTC, Peter applied for and is now a member of the Garda Siochana. Stationed just down the road in Athy, he is quick to acknowledge the help and cooperation he receives on an ongoing basis from his colleagues and superiors in the force. "Without them, I just wouldn't be able to fit in time for training, matches, etc." says Peter. "They've all been great," he adds "and I really appreciate their consideration." McConnon made his inter county senior debut in the National Football League of 1988 against Roscommon in Newbridge. "We were 7 points down with 15 minutes to go when Johnny McDonald and I were introduced," says Peter. "Kildare won by a point and Johnny and myself got about two kicks at the ball between us," he quips. But the selectors must have seen something in the two lads. They've been around ever since. This year's Leinster Championship campaign was a good one for McConnon. Between them his direct opponents from Wicklow, Westmeath and Dublin field to raise a single flag. His colleagues with Kildare are quick to appreciate his worth. Long serving full back Johnny Crofton, himself a Kildare selector regards McConnon as a very useful man to have around. "He's a very versatile defender, who has acquitted himself well against some of the top forwards in the county," says Crofton. At the other end of the Lilywhites age spectrum is Peter's fellow Towers defender Glen Ryan. Ryan, whose failure to gain an All Star nomination has to be one of the great mysteries of football, thinks very highly of his clubmate also. "He has great pace and fielding ability," says Ryan who sees McConnon as a vital cog in the Kildare wheel and a major influence on the outcome of Round Towers push towards the Dermot Burke Cup in Kildare. Peter himself is happiest at wing back on the inter county scene. He has no doubt that Kildare have the basic talent to push for ultimate honours in Leinster. Like most Kildare men McConnon looks no further than Leinster. To him 1956 is too long ago to be of any significance. Crashing the provincial barrier has become something of a search for the Holy Grail in Kildare. He never ceases to be amazed at O'Dwyer's dedication. "He has done wonders in the time he's been here," enthuses Peter. "At the moment he's working on our self-belief, if we can get that right, I reckon we'll win something big." McConnon is quick to pay tribute to Micko's predecessor, Pat Fitzgerald, who he reckons laid the foundations well during his years with Kildare. "Pat was a great organiser," he points out. On the Tompkins saga, he admits to being as much in the dark as the rest of us. "Ultimately it has to be his own decision," says Peter. "The man has enormous talent and he'd be a great addition to any team. But even without him, I believe this Kildare team can make it," he adds. On inter-county opponents he quips that he finds them all difficult, too difficult. But he singles out cork's Paul McGrath for special mention. "He taught me what inter county football was all about in one hour flat!" grins Peter. "I marked him in a National League match soon after making the Kildare team and I never did as much running before in my life." It's a rare tribute from someone of McConnon's background in athletics, to the Bishopstown star. Like many of his peers, one of Peter's pet aversions is inconsistent refereeing. "Until umpires and linesmen at major games are all qualified referees themselves and have as much to say as the man in the middle, things will not improve," he feels. When you talk to Peter McConnon, you quickly get the feeling that here is someone who sees himself as just another family member. And a fine family it is too. Peter and Bridie (from Watergrasshill in Cork) McConnon have five children of whom Peter is the second eldest. Michelle, his older sister has just qualified as a nurse from Moore Abbey, Monasterevan. Brother Kevin has his own butchering business, also in Monasterevan. Tadhg is an accountancy student while Shirley, the youngest, is still at school. "I owe a lot to my Dad," says Peter. "He's had a tremendous influence on my career." Talking to Peter Snr. quickly reveals that he's a huge fan of his eldest son. "I'm very proud of him alright," he muses. And why wouldn't he, if Kildare and Peter McConnon go on to glory, it couldn't happen to a nicer fella. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 11th December 1992 Tweet

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