Noel Connors

{{infobox Gaelic games player

|image =

|name = Noel Connors

|irish = Nollaig Ó Conchubhair

|nickname = Noelie

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|5|5|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Waterford, Ireland

|height = {{convert|1.73|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

|sport = Hurling

|code = Hurling

|county = Waterford

|province = Munster

|club = Passage

|clyears = 2005-present

|clposition = Left Corner Back

|clapps(points) =

|clcounty = 1

|clprovince =

|clallireland =

|colleges = Waterford Institute of Technology

|fitz = 0

|colyears = 2008-2018

|counties = Waterford

|icyears = 2009-2019

|icposition = Left corner-back

|icapps(points) = 41 (0-00)

|icprovince = 1

|icallireland = 0

|nhl = 1

|allstars = 3

|clupdate =

|icupdate = 19:08, 2 January 2019

}}

Noel Connors (born 5 May 1990) is an Irish hurler who played for Waterford Senior Championship club Passage and [https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/new-waterford-hurling-manager-drops-connors-and-shanahan-from-panel-956855.html formerly played] for and captained the Waterford senior hurling team. He was usually deployed as a corner-back but could also be deployed as a full-back or as a centre-back.

Connors began his hurling career with the Passage club, with whom he won Waterford Championship medals at intermediate level in 2007 and at senior level in 2013. He made his debut for the Waterford senior team in 2009, having previously played for the Waterford minor and under-21 teams. Since then Connors has won National Hurling League and Munster Championship medals, as well as being an All-Ireland Championship runner-up in 2017.

Early life

Connors was born in Waterford and raised in Passage East. His father, Noel Connors Snr, played with the Waterford senior hurling team until an injury ended his career, while his brother, Thomas, has also been a member of the Waterford senior hurling team.{{cite web|url=https://www.gaa.ie/features/feature/club-noel-connors-passage-111083/|title=My Club: Noel Connors - Passage|date=30 April 2015|publisher=GAA website|access-date=2 January 2019}}

Playing career

=De La Salle College=

Connors attended the De La Salle College in Waterford, with whom he played hurling at all grades. On 11 March 2007, he was at left corner-back when the college defeated St. Flannan's College by 2-09 to 0-11 to win the Harty Cup for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/de-la-salle-power-to-harty-title-26270036.html|title=De La Salle Power to Harty title|date=12 March 2007|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019}} Connors retained his place at left corner-back for the subsequent All-Ireland final against Kilkenny CBS on 22 April 2007. A 0-13 to 1-09 victory secured an inaugural All-Ireland title for De La Salle and for Connors.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/power-base-sees-de-la-salle-land-first-title-26266955.html|title=Power base sees De La Salle land first title|date=23 April 2007|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019}}

Connors was eligible for the De La Salle College senior hurling team again the following year, and won a second successive Harty Cup medal on 9 March 2008 after a 1-11 to 0-07 defeat of Thurles CBS. He was singled out as being particularity effective in nullifying the threat of Thurles forward John O'Neill during the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/mcgrath-puts-harty-joy-down-to-team-spirit-26429159.html|title=McGrath puts Harty joy down to team spirit|date=10 March 2008|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019}} On 19 April 2008, Connors was at right wing-back when De La Salle College defeated Thurles CBS in a replay to win the All-Ireland Championship for the second year in-a-row.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/match-reports/de-la-salle-hold-their-nerve-60765.html|title=De La Salle hold their nerve|date=21 April 2008|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=2 January 2019}}

=Passage=

Connors first started hurling at adult level with the Passage club in 2005. He was 15-years-old when he joined the club's intermediate team as a corner-back. On 23 November 2007, he was at left wing-back when Passage defeated Dungarvan by 2-16 to 1-13 to win the Waterford Intermediate Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.munster-express.ie/sports/gaa-hurling/passage-the-victors-in-epic-intermediate-final/|title=Passage the victors in epic intermediate final|date=29 November 2007|publisher=The Munster Express|access-date=2 January 2019}}

On 13 October 2013, Connor was at centre-back when Passage defeated Ballygunner by 3-16 to 3-13 in the 2013 Waterford Senior Championship final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2013/1014/ireland/passage-dream-comes-true-246228.html|title=Passage dream comes true|date=14 October 2013|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=2 January 2019}} It was the club's first ever championship title.

=Waterford=

==Minor and under-21==

Connors made his first appearance for the Waterford minor hurling team in a 3-15 to 0-09 Munster Championship quarter-final defeat by Cork. He was eligible for the minor grade once again in 2008, however, Waterford faced a 4-13 to 1-06 defeat by Cork for the second successive year.{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/97249|title=Munster MHC: Rebels put fancied Waterford to the sword|date=26 June 2008|publisher=Hogan Stand|access-date=2 January 2019}}

Connors subsequently played for three seasons the Waterford under-21 hurling team, however, he ended his tenure in that grade without any silverware.

==Senior==

Connors made his senior debut for Waterford on 4 January 2009 in a 1-17 to 2-13 Waterford Crystal Cup defeat of University College Cork.{{cite web|url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/gaa/waterford-hold-on-for-close-win-against-ucc-393020.html|title=Waterford hold on for close win against UCC|date=4 January 2009|publisher=Breaking News|access-date=2 January 2019}} Later that season he played in all six of Waterford's National Hurling League games, before making his first championship start in a 1-08 to 0-11 Munster semi-final draw with Limerick.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/semple-snore-draw-simply-awful-94125.html|title=Semple snore draw simply awful|date=15 June 2009|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}} In spite of being described as one of the worst ever championship games, Connors was described as "effective" and earned an 8/10 rating in the Irish Independent.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/limerick-miss-reale-opportunity-26543783.html|title=Limerick miss Reale opportunity|date=15 June 2009|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Martin|last=Breheny}} He lined out for the full 70 minutes at left corner-back in Waterford's subsequent 4-14 to 2-16 defeat by Tipperary in the 2009 Munster final.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/classy-corbett-tipps-the-scales-26550427.html|title=Classy Corbett Tipps the scales|date=13 July 2009|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019}}

On 11 July 2010, Connors lined out at left corner-back when Waterford drew 2-15 apiece with Cork in the 2010 Munster final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/replay-for-cork-and-waterford-after-thurles-thriller-465091.html|title=Replay for Cork and Waterford after Thurles thriller|date=11 July 2010|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=2 January 2019}} He retained his position in defence for the subsequent replay, which saw him claim his first silverware after Waterford won by 1-16 to 1-13.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/columnists/vincent-hogan/vincent-hogan-shanahan-settles-epic-26664656.html|title=Shanahan settles epic|date=19 July 2010|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}}

Connors was at his customary position of left corner-back when Waterford lost the 2011 Munster final to Tipperary by 7-19 to 0-19 on 10 July 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/munster-massacre-tipp-in-seventh-heaven-26750661.html|title=Munster massacre: Tipp in seventh heaven|date=11 July 2011|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019}}

Connors was ruled out of Waterford's opening game of the 2012 National League due to a hamstring injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/deise-boss-ryan-refusing-to-rush-back-big-names-26828945.html|title=Deise boss Ryan refusing to rush back big names|date=6 March 2012|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Cliona|last=Foley}} It was later revealed that he was suffering from a bulging disc in his back which ruled him out of the entire league campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/injured-connors-still-stresses-positives-for-deise-187054.html|title=Injured Connors still stresses positives for Déise|date=14 March 2012|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=2 January 2019|first=John|last=Fogarty}} Connor's return to action in the championship was further hampered by a possible groin injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2012/0515/320969-selection-problems-for-deise-boss/|title=Injury problems mount for Waterford boss Ryan|date=18 May 2012|publisher=RTÉ Sport|access-date=2 January 2019}} On 15 July, he lined out in defence in the 2012 Munster final defeat by Tipperary.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/tipperary-too-strong-for-plucky-waterford-559225.html|title=Tipperary too strong for plucky Waterford|date=15 July 2012|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=2 January 2019}}

On 3 May 2015, Connors was named at left corner-back but lined out at right corner-back where he marked Cork's Patrick Horgan in the 2015 National League final. The 1-24 to 0-17 victory gave him a National League medal.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/waterford-cork-2082951-May2015/|title=Waterford crowned hurling league champions with emphatic win over Cork|date=3 May 2015|publisher=The 42|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}} On 12 July 2015, Connors played the full 70 minutes when Waterford were beaten for the fourth time in six seasons by Tipperary in the 2015 Munster final.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipperary-claim-munster-hurling-title-with-tight-win-over-waterford-31370896.html|title=Tipperary claim Munster hurling title with tight win over Waterford|date=6 March 2012|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}} He ended the season by winning a second GAA/GPA All-Star award.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/2015-gaa-allstar-hurling-team-2426062-Nov2015/|title=7 from Kilkenny, 4 from Galway: Here's the 2015 Allstar hurling team of the year|date=6 November 2015|publisher=The 42|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Niall|last=Kelly}}

On 1 May 2016, Connors was at left corner-back when Waterford drew 0-22 apiece with Clare in the 2016 National League final.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/incredible-drama-as-waterford-force-league-final-replay-after-monster-70m-free-34675645.html|title=Incredible drama as Waterford force league final replay after monster 70m free|date=1 May 2016|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}} He was switched to the full-back position for the replay, which Waterford lost by 1-23 to 2-19.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/clare-waterford-hurling-2758374-May2016/|title=Kelly the scoring hero as Clare claim dramatic league final win over Waterford|date=8 May 2016|publisher=The 42|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}} On 10 July, Connors was substituted in the 58th minute of the 2016 Munster final, with Waterford eventually losing by 5-19 to 0-13.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipp-torrents-wash-deise-hopes-away-34872402.html|title=Tipp torrents wash Deise hopes away|date=11 July 2016|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}

On 3 September 2017, Connors lined out opposite Galway's Conor Whelan in his usual position of left corner-back in the 2017 All-Ireland final. Waterford eventually lost the final by 0-26 to 2-17.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/galway-end-all-ireland-famine-with-tight-win-over-waterford-at-croke-park-36095604.html|title=Galway end All Ireland famine with tight win over Waterford at Croke Park|date=3 September 2017|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}} Connors ended the season by winning a third GAA/GPA All-Star award.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/2017-all-star-hurling-team-pwc-awards-3674831-Nov2017/|title=7 from Galway and 5 from Waterford - the 2017 All-Star hurling team|date=2 November 2017|publisher=The 42|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Emma|last=Duffy}}

On 2 January 2019, Connors was appointed captain of the Waterford senior hurling team.{{cite web|url=http://hoganstand.com/article/index/293824|title=Connors to captain Waterford|date=2 January 2019|publisher=Hogan Stand|access-date=2 January 2019}}

On 13 October 2019, Connors was dropped from the panel entirely.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/new-waterford-hurling-manager-drops-connors-and-shanahan-from-panel-956855.html|title=New Waterford hurling manager drops Connors and Shanahan from panel|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=14 October 2019}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Year !colspan="3"\|National League !colspan="2"\|Munster !colspan="2"\|All-Ireland !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Division	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score
rowspan="10"\|Waterford \|2009 \|rowspan="3"\|Division 1 \|6	0-00	3	0-00	2	0-00	11	0-00
2010 \|6	0-00	3	0-00	1	0-00	10	0-00
2011 \|5	0-00	2	0-00	2	0-00	9	0-00
2012 \|rowspan="3"\|Division 1A \|0	0-00	2	0-00	1	0-00	3	0-00
2013 \|1	0-00	1	0-00	3	0-00	5	0-00
2014 \|6	0-00	2	0-00	1	0-00	9	0-00
2015 \|rowspan="1"\|Division 1B \|8	0-00	2	0-00	2	0-00	12	0-00
2016 \|rowspan="3"\|Division 1A \|6	0-00	2	0-00	3	0-00	11	0-00
2017 \|5	0-00	1	0-00	5	0-00	11	0-00
2018 \|3	0-00	3	0-00	colspan=2\|—	6	0-00
colspan="3"\|Total \|46\|\|0-00\|\|21\|\|0-00\|\|20\|\|0-00\|\|87\|\|0-00