RORY'S ON CLOUD NINE

RORY O'CONNOR wants St Martin's to strike a Leinster club SHC blow for hurling’s underdogs just like Na Fianna did last year.

- BY PAUL KEANE

The Wexford star struck nine points, including the 64th minute winner, to help secure a memorable quarterfinal win.

St Martin's trailed by two at the start of stoppage time but three points from substitute Ben Stafford and O'Connor, two, sealed the narrowest of wins.

It was almost the exact opposite of last year's quarterfinal encounter when the sides met at Parnell Park in Dublin.

Na Fianna came from behind with a series of late, late scores to win back then - going on to collect breakthrough Leinster and All-Ireland titles.

O'Connor said that coming so close to beating Na Fianna on that occasion, and seeing how well the Dubliners did afterwards, was a big confidence booster.

“Last year gave us a bit of belief that we can look outside the county, that we are good enough in terms of what you see on a Sunday on TG4, all the great Ballyhale and Loughmore Castleiney and Ballygunner teams, that that'll be the Martin's on another day. said O'Connor.

“T think what we learned last year was completely on show there today because we went the whole distance with them.