Patrick O’Connor calls time on inter-county career with Clare

All-Ireland winning Clare hurler Patrick O’Connor has retired from inter county duty.

The defender, who started when Clare secured All Ireland glory in 2013, has decided to step away from the inter county set-up after a nasty knee injury.

He suffered the injury during a challenge game against Limerick in May 2021 which ultimately meant he was unable to see Championship action for the past two years.

The Tubber native brings the curtain down a career that also saw him win Munster and All Ireland U-21 titles.

He also lined out in the full back line when Clare won the National Hurling League title in 2016, ending a 38 year gap since their previous success in the competition.

O’Connor made his senior debut under Ger O’Loughlin in 2011 and captained the county in 2017.

His first game at senior inter county level was in the opening round of the Allianz National Hurling League in 2011 against Limerick. He made his Championship debut in the Championship that year when Clare lost out by nine points at the semi final stage.

Three Connacht Colleges Senior A Hurling medals were collected by O’Connor while attending Gort Community School. He captained the school to the last of those successes.