SETBACK INSPIRED STELLAR SEASON FROM CONNORS

TIPPERARY'S triumphant 2025 campaign was full of make-or-break moments.

- BY STEPHEN BARRY

For Willie Connors, his entire inter-county career has been defined by those moments and his responses to adversity.

From his senior debut in 2018 until this season, the 29-year-old Kiladangan stickman hadn't started back-to-back Championship games.

He missed two years with Tipp in the aftermath of a horrific double ankle fracture, but persistence seemed to be paying off with an extended National League run this spring.

Then, the League final against Cork derailed things all over again. In the 23rd minute, just after the Rebels netted a second goal, Connors was called ashore.

He didn't feature at all against Limerick. He showed enough defiance as the fifth and final sub in the Cork rematch to move up the pecking order against Clare. Once he got the nod to play Waterford, Connors embarked upon five consecutive starts which led to All-Ireland glory.

"The League final was a bit of a disaster for us all, but mainly for myself," he reflects before revealing the post-match chat with Liam Cahill.

"We had a straight enough conversation alright. I watched the game back and so did he. At the time, I was obviously thick and upset and whatnot, but that's part and parcel.

"I reviewed it. I actually felt that I was looking for the ball more and maybe other lads weren't as much. That's the way I took it.

"I had my words with him over it. We parked it there and then. I said, 'Listen, I'll stay going. There's no issue. If I can get back on this team, I'll offer something."