Waterford GAA mourns Johnny O'Connor
November 01, 2010
Waterford All Ireland SHC winners 1948
Back row (left to right): Mick Hayes, Mick Healy, Mick Hickey, Eddie Carew, Andy Fleming, Jim Allen Vin Baston, John Keane, Davy Power, Tom Curran, Josie Murray, Pat Neville, Willy Galvin, Jimmy Galvin.
Front row (left to right): John Cusack, Jackie Goode, Ned Daly, Kevin O'Connor, Jim Ware, Christy Moylan, Mick Kidney, John Baston, Johnny O'Connor, Larry Fleming
A native of Abbeyside, the 82-year-old was one of only two survivors from the famous side that defeated Dublin to claim Waterford's first All-Ireland senior hurling crown. His death leaves 92-year-old Andy Fleming as the sole survivor of that historic winning team.
A former school principal who had lived near Mallow, Co. Cork since 1959, Johnny made his Waterford debut against Kilkenny in the 1946 Natioanl League while studying for his Leaving Cert in Dungarvan CBS. He made his Munster SHC debut against Cork the following year and was just 20 when he lined out at midfield on the 1948 All-Ireland winning side.
As well as winning a Waterford JHC with Abbeyside in 1959, the deceased claimed SHC honours in Waterford, Dublin and Cork with Clonea, UCD and Avondhu respectively. He also won a Railway Cup medal with Munster in 1955.
May he rest in peace. Tweet
