# Noel Connors

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Irish hurler

Noel Connors Personal information Native name Nollaig Ó Conchubhair (Irish) Nickname Noelie Born (1990-05-05) 5 May 1990 (age 36) Waterford, Ireland Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) Sport Sport Hurling Position Left corner-back Club Years Club 2005-present Passage Club titles Waterford titles 1 College Years College 2008-2018 Waterford Institute of Technology College titles Fitzgibbon titles 0 Inter-county* Years County Apps (scores) 2009-2019 Waterford 41 (0-00) Inter-county titles Munster titles 1 All-Irelands 0 NHL 1 All Stars 3 *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 19:08, 2 January 2019.

**Noel Connors** (born 5 May 1990) is an Irish [hurler](/source/Hurling) who played for [Waterford Senior Championship](/source/Waterford_Senior_Hurling_Championship) club [Passage](/source/Passage_GAA_(Waterford)) and [formerly played](https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/new-waterford-hurling-manager-drops-connors-and-shanahan-from-panel-956855.html) for and [captained](/source/List_of_Waterford_senior_hurling_team_captains) the [Waterford senior hurling team](/source/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](/source/Waterford_Intermediate_Hurling_Championship) level in 2007 and at [senior](/source/Waterford_Senior_Hurling_Championship) 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](/source/National_Hurling_League) and [Munster Championship](/source/Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship) medals, as well as being an [All-Ireland Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship) runner-up in [2017](/source/2017_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship).

## Early life

Connors was born in [Waterford](/source/Waterford) and raised in [Passage East](/source/Passage_East). His father, [Noel Connors Snr](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Noel_Connors_Snr&action=edit&redlink=1), played with the Waterford senior hurling team until an injury ended his career, while his brother, [Thomas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Connors&action=edit&redlink=1), has also been a member of the Waterford senior hurling team.[1]

## Playing career

### De La Salle College

Connors attended the [De La Salle College](/source/De_La_Salle_College_Waterford) in [Waterford](/source/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](/source/St._Flannan's_College) by 2-09 to 0-11 to win the [Harty Cup](/source/Dr._Harty_Cup) for the first time.[2] Connors retained his place at left corner-back for the subsequent [All-Ireland final](/source/Dr._Croke_Cup) against [Kilkenny CBS](/source/CBS_Kilkenny) on 22 April 2007. A 0-13 to 1-09 victory secured an inaugural All-Ireland title for De La Salle and for Connors.[3]

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](/source/John_O'Neill_(Tipperary_hurler)) during the game.[4] 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.[5]

### Passage

Connors first started hurling at adult level with the [Passage](/source/Passage_GAA_(Waterford)) 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](/source/Dungarvan_GAA) by 2-16 to 1-13 to win the [Waterford Intermediate Championship](/source/Waterford_Intermediate_Hurling_Championship).[6]

On 13 October 2013, Connor was at centre-back when Passage defeated [Ballygunner](/source/Ballygunner_GAA) by 3-16 to 3-13 in the [2013 Waterford Senior Championship final](/source/2013_Waterford_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Final).[7] 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](/source/2007_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Munster_Minor_Hurling_Championship) defeat by [Cork](/source/Cork_GAA). 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.[8]

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](/source/Waterford_Crystal_Cup) defeat of [University College Cork](/source/UCC_GAA).[9] Later that season he played in all six of Waterford's [National Hurling League](/source/National_Hurling_League) games, before making his first championship start in a 1-08 to 0-11 [Munster semi-final draw](/source/2009_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship) with [Limerick](/source/Limerick_GAA).[10] 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](/source/Irish_Independent)*.[11] He lined out for the full 70 minutes at left corner-back in Waterford's subsequent 4-14 to 2-16 defeat by [Tipperary](/source/Tipperary_GAA) in the [2009 Munster final](/source/2009_Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final).[12]

On 11 July 2010, Connors lined out at left corner-back when Waterford drew 2-15 apiece with Cork in the [2010 Munster final](/source/2010_Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final).[13] 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.[14]

Connors was at his customary position of left corner-back when Waterford lost the [2011 Munster final](/source/2011_Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final) to Tipperary by 7-19 to 0-19 on 10 July 2011.[15]

Connors was ruled out of Waterford's opening game of the [2012 National League](/source/2012_National_Hurling_League) due to a hamstring injury.[16] It was later revealed that he was suffering from a bulging disc in his back which ruled him out of the entire league campaign.[17] Connor's return to action in the championship was further hampered by a possible groin injury.[18] On 15 July, he lined out in defence in the [2012 Munster final](/source/2012_Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final) defeat by Tipperary.[19]

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](/source/Patrick_Horgan) in the [2015 National League final](/source/2015_National_Hurling_League#Division_1_Final). The 1-24 to 0-17 victory gave him a National League medal.[20] 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](/source/2015_Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final).[21] He ended the season by winning a second GAA/GPA All-Star award.[22]

On 1 May 2016, Connors was at left corner-back when Waterford drew 0-22 apiece with [Clare](/source/Clare_GAA) in the [2016 National League final](/source/2016_National_Hurling_League#Division_1_Final_&_Replay).[23] He was switched to the full-back position for the replay, which Waterford lost by 1-23 to 2-19.[24] On 10 July, Connors was substituted in the 58th minute of the [2016 Munster final](/source/2016_Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final), with Waterford eventually losing by 5-19 to 0-13.[25]

On 3 September 2017, Connors lined out opposite [Galway](/source/Galway_GAA)'s [Conor Whelan](/source/Conor_Whelan) in his usual position of left corner-back in the [2017 All-Ireland final](/source/2017_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final). Waterford eventually lost the final by 0-26 to 2-17.[26] Connors ended the season by winning a third GAA/GPA All-Star award.[27]

On 2 January 2019, Connors was appointed captain of the Waterford senior hurling team.[28]

On 13 October 2019, Connors was dropped from the panel entirely.[29]

## Career statistics

- *As of match played 17 June 2018.*

Team Year National League Munster All-Ireland Total Division Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Waterford 2009 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 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 Division 1B 8 0-00 2 0-00 2 0-00 12 0-00 2016 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 — 6 0-00 Total 46 0-00 21 0-00 20 0-00 87 0-00

## Honours

**De La Salle College**

- [Dr. Croke Cup](/source/Dr._Croke_Cup) (2): [2007](/source/2007_Croke_Cup), [2008](/source/2008_Croke_Cup)

- [Dr. Harty Cup](/source/Dr._Harty_Cup) (2): 2007, 2008

**Passage**

- [Waterford Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Waterford_Senior_Hurling_Championship) (1): [2013](/source/2013_Waterford_Senior_Hurling_Championship)

- [Waterford Intermediate Hurling Championship](/source/Waterford_Intermediate_Hurling_Championship) (1): 2007

**Waterford**

- [Munster Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship) (1): [2010](/source/2010_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Munster_Senior_Hurling_Championship)

- [National Hurling League](/source/National_Hurling_League) (1): [2015](/source/2015_National_Hurling_League)

**Individual**

- [GAA GPA All Stars Awards](/source/GAA_GPA_All_Stars_Awards) (3): 2010, 2015, 2017

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["My Club: Noel Connors - Passage"](https://www.gaa.ie/features/feature/club-noel-connors-passage-111083/). GAA website. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["De La Salle Power to Harty title"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/de-la-salle-power-to-harty-title-26270036.html). Irish Independent. 12 March 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Power base sees De La Salle land first title"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/power-base-sees-de-la-salle-land-first-title-26266955.html). Irish Independent. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["McGrath puts Harty joy down to team spirit"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/mcgrath-puts-harty-joy-down-to-team-spirit-26429159.html). Irish Independent. 10 March 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["De La Salle hold their nerve"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/match-reports/de-la-salle-hold-their-nerve-60765.html). Irish Examiner. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Passage the victors in epic intermediate final"](http://www.munster-express.ie/sports/gaa-hurling/passage-the-victors-in-epic-intermediate-final/). The Munster Express. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Passage dream comes true"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-20246228.html). Irish Examiner. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Munster MHC: Rebels put fancied Waterford to the sword"](http://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/97249). Hogan Stand. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Waterford hold on for close win against UCC"](https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/gaa/waterford-hold-on-for-close-win-against-ucc-393020.html). Breaking News. 4 January 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** O'Flynn, Diarmuid (15 June 2009). ["Semple snore draw simply awful"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/semple-snore-draw-simply-awful-94125.html). Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Breheny, Martin (15 June 2009). ["Limerick miss Reale opportunity"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/limerick-miss-reale-opportunity-26543783.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Classy Corbett Tipps the scales"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/classy-corbett-tipps-the-scales-26550427.html). Irish Independent. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Replay for Cork and Waterford after Thurles thriller"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/replay-for-cork-and-waterford-after-thurles-thriller-465091.html). Irish Examiner. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Hogan, Vincent (19 July 2010). ["Shanahan settles epic"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/columnists/vincent-hogan/vincent-hogan-shanahan-settles-epic-26664656.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Munster massacre: Tipp in seventh heaven"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/munster-massacre-tipp-in-seventh-heaven-26750661.html). Irish Independent. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Foley, Cliona (6 March 2012). ["Deise boss Ryan refusing to rush back big names"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/deise-boss-ryan-refusing-to-rush-back-big-names-26828945.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Fogarty, John (14 March 2012). ["Injured Connors still stresses positives for Déise"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/injured-connors-still-stresses-positives-for-deise-187054.html). Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Injury problems mount for Waterford boss Ryan"](https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2012/0515/320969-selection-problems-for-deise-boss/). RTÉ Sport. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Tipperary too strong for plucky Waterford"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/tipperary-too-strong-for-plucky-waterford-559225.html). Irish Examiner. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** O'Toole, Fintan (3 May 2015). ["Waterford crowned hurling league champions with emphatic win over Cork"](https://www.the42.ie/waterford-cork-2082951-May2015/). The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** McGoldrick, Seán (6 March 2012). ["Tipperary claim Munster hurling title with tight win over Waterford"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipperary-claim-munster-hurling-title-with-tight-win-over-waterford-31370896.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Kelly, Niall (6 November 2015). ["7 from Kilkenny, 4 from Galway: Here's the 2015 Allstar hurling team of the year"](https://www.the42.ie/2015-gaa-allstar-hurling-team-2426062-Nov2015/). The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** McGoldrick, Seán (1 May 2016). ["Incredible drama as Waterford force league final replay after monster 70m free"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/incredible-drama-as-waterford-force-league-final-replay-after-monster-70m-free-34675645.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** O'Toole, Fintan (8 May 2016). ["Kelly the scoring hero as Clare claim dramatic league final win over Waterford"](https://www.the42.ie/clare-waterford-hurling-2758374-May2016/). The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Breheny, Martin (11 July 2016). ["Tipp torrents wash Deise hopes away"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipp-torrents-wash-deise-hopes-away-34872402.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** McGoldrick, Seán (3 September 2017). ["Galway end All Ireland famine with tight win over Waterford at Croke Park"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/galway-end-all-ireland-famine-with-tight-win-over-waterford-at-croke-park-36095604.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Duffy, Emma (2 November 2017). ["7 from Galway and 5 from Waterford - the 2017 All-Star hurling team"](https://www.the42.ie/2017-all-star-hurling-team-pwc-awards-3674831-Nov2017/). The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Connors to captain Waterford"](http://hoganstand.com/article/index/293824). Hogan Stand. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["New Waterford hurling manager drops Connors and Shanahan from panel"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/new-waterford-hurling-manager-drops-connors-and-shanahan-from-panel-956855.html). Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 October 2019.

Noel Connors navigation boxes Sporting positions Preceded by Kevin Moran Waterford Senior Hurling Captain 2019 Succeeded by Pauric Mahony v t e Waterford – 2017 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship finalist 1 S. O'Keeffe 2 S. Fives 3 B. Coughlan 4 N. Connors 5 T. de Búrca 6 A. Gleeson 7 Philip Mahony 8 J. Barron 18 K. Bennett 10 K. Moran (c) 11 Pauric Mahony 12 J. Dillon 13 Shane Bennett 14 M. Walsh 15 D. Fives Subs 21 M. Shanahan for Shane Bennett 20 B. O'Halloran for Dillon 19 T. Ryan for Walsh 23 C. Dunford for Barron 22 P. Curran for K. Bennett Subs not used 16 I. O'Regan 9 D. Lyons 17 S. McNulty 24 Stephen Bennett 25 M. Kearney 26 S. Roche Manager D. McGrath Selectors D. Shanahan E. Murphy v t e Ireland national hurling team | 2018 Shinty–Hurling International Series 1 E. Rowland 2 B. Byrne 3 D. Casey 4 J. Casey 5 D. Clinton 6 N. Connors 7 D. Cullen 8 T. Doyle 9 D. Egerton 10 D. English 11 J. Forde 12 D. Healy 13 G. O'Kelly-Lynch 14 G. McGowan 15 D. McInerney 16 B. Murphy 17 J. M. Nolan 18 S. Roche 19 J. Toher 20 S. Weir Manager W. Maher v t e 2010 All-Stars Hurling Team 1 B. Cummins 2 N. Connors 3 P. Curran 4 J. Tyrrell 5 T. Walsh 6 M. Walsh 7 J. J. Delaney 8 B. Maher 9 M. Fennelly 10 D. Hayes 11 N. McGrath 12 L. CorbettHOTY 13 J. Mullane 14 R. Power 15 E. Kelly v t e 2015 All-Stars Hurling Team 1 C. Callanan 2 P. Murphy 3 J. Holden 4 N. Connors 5 D. Burke 6 T. de Búrca 7 C. Buckley 8 M. Fennelly 9 D. Burke 10 C. Mannion 11 R. Hogan 12 T. J. ReidHOTY 13 G. Aylward 14 S. Callanan 15 M. Shanahan v t e 2017 All-Stars Hurling Team 1 S. O'Keeffe 2 P. Mannion 3 D. Burke 4 N. Connors 5 P. Maher 6 G. McInerney 7 M. Coleman 8 J. Barron 9 D. Burke 10 K. Moran 11 J. Canning HOTY 12 M. Walsh 13 C. Whelan 14 C. Cooney 15 P. Horgan

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Noel Connors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Connors) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Connors?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.