Stephen Brosnan talks to Fergus O’Connor about his time in John Mitchel’s GAA Club…
Fergus O’Connor.
Player Profile: Fergus O’Connor, Senior John Mitchel’s Player From/To: 1994 – 2011
Player Position: Mid-Field, Full Back, Centre Half Back
Honours Won: Kerry, All Ireland Minor Title 1994
(Q): What is your greatest accomplishment as a Mitchel’s player?
(A): “I played through all the age groups up to senior level. I went on to play senior football for many years with the club. This to me is a great accomplishment as I am sure it is for every player”.
(Q): Which Player(s) would you have looked up to in the club?
(A): “As a juvenile player I would have looked up to players like Fergal O’Brien and Mick O’Connor they set the standard. They were always there for the younger players and gave encouragement. In the senior ranks John Higgins was a player I admired. John was great club player always gave one hundred percent and played for Kerry winning three All Ireland Titles”.
(Q): Tell me what is satisfying about Gaelic football to you?
(A): “I would have to say the most satisfying thing for me is the friendships you make. Many of the players I played with at juvenile level are still great friends. I have always enjoyed playing and coaching Gaelic football”.
(Q): If you could change a rule in Gaelic Football what would that be?
(A): “I would remove the black card rule from the game. It is too lenient as teams are allowed to replace a player that receives this card. I would reintroduce the sin bin 10 minute rule. This would cut out a lot of the persistent fouling in the game. I would also introduce the clock system that is in operation in Ladies Football. Players should know exactly how much time remains at the end of a game”.
(Q): What was your biggest disappointment as a Mitchel’s player?
(A): “My biggest disappointment was losing our senior status. Having said that we struggled for many seasons in the senior championship. I suppose with the benefit of hindsight it might have been a better idea to opt out of senior championship sooner. I think the club would have benefitted from this as the team would have had a more realistic chance of winning honours”.
(Q): What other sports have you been involved in?
(A): “I played soccer at youth level with Tralee United. Some of my Mitchel’s team mates also played with this team. Gaelic football was always my number one sport. At the moment I like to do some running and swimming just to keep fit”.
(Q): Tell me about your role as John Mitchel’s Minor team selector?
(A): “I enjoy my role as a selector with the team. The players are a great bunch of lads and show a lot of commitment in both training and games. As a former senior player I like to give something back to the club by helping to coach young players. Hopefully we will see them go on to play at senior level”.
(Q): What would you consider was one of your best games as a player and why?
(A): “For me it was a senior championship match played in the Austin Stack Park against Kerins O’Rahilly’s. The game ended in a draw but I was happy with my performance in the match.
(Q): What advice would you give to encourage more people to get involved with John Mitchel’s Club?
(A): “I would invite anyone that has any interest and at any level to get involved with the club. I get great enjoyment from training young players and seen them progress. Anyone that feels they have a contribution to make should get involved. Your club is like your extended family. When I suffered from cancer two years ago the club rallied around me and gave me fantastic support throughout my ordeal”.
(Q): Tell me about your All Ireland Minor title win in 1994 with Kerry?
(A): “We played Galway in the final and won by six points. The entire year with the minor team was a great experience. Some of my teammates went on to play senior football with Kerry. I played in the left half back position and scored a point. Looking back in was great to have won an All-Ireland minor title with Kerry.
(Q): What are your thoughts on the present and future of the club?
(A): “It was a brave and correct decision to move the club grounds to Camp Ballyseedy. The facilities here are fantastic but facilities alone won’t make Mitchel’s a senior club again. The work has to be continuous and we need more people to get involved. As a club we can’t rest on our laurels we must keep pushing forward to achieve our future goals”.
This interview originally appeared in the John Mitchels GAA Notes
