4 days ago
Inside GAA star Joe O'Connor's life: Day job and rugby career
Joe O'Connor has become the talk of the town after a sensational 2025 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship season with Kerry, dominating the midfield and emerging as the key player for the Kingdom on their journey to the final.
The Tralee native's leadership on the field has seen him rise quietly but swiftly to prominence, and we're delving into his ascent to stardom and life beyond the GAA pitch. Kerry Career
Joe was named as captain of the Kerry senior football team ahead of the 2022 season despite having not started a game for the team
His appointment came after Austin Stacks won the Kerry Senior Football Championship.
Club Chairman Shane Lynch said; "There is no greater privilege for a club than to nominate one of its own to be the Kerry Captain. This is a very special moment for all in Austin Stacks and of course most especially for Joe, his parents Jim and Helen and family.
"Joe has developed into a natural leader on the pitch in the way he drives the team forward at critical moments and everyone on the Rock can't wait to see Joe lead out the men in green and gold and drive the Kingdom on to glory this season.
"On behalf of all in the club, I would like to wish him, Dylan, Greg and Jack and all involved with the Kerry Senior Team the very best for the season ahead." Kerry's Joe O'Connor during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship (Image: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)
During his captaincy Kerry were crowned All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winners, beating Galway in a tough final in Croke Park. Joe collected the famous Sam Maguire alongside Seánie O'Shea in the Hogan Stand.
"It was a great honour," he told told the Irish Independent.
"We had a great year last year [with Austin Stacks] and when I got nominated it was a proud moment for me and the family. Just to go up the steps with Seánie [O'Shea] then was just the icing on the cake.
"Delighted to get over the line with the boys in Kerry. It's unreal to win the All Ireland, a great experience for me and all the team." Injury
After captaining Kerry to All-Ireland success in 2022, Joe was dealt a big blow when he suffered a tear to his ACL when playing for his club, ruling him out of competitive action for a number of months. Day Job Away From Football
Joe studied in the University of Limerick and he works as Munster Area Development Manager with MFC Sports. He is also a brand ambassador with Audi in Kerry. Kerry's Joe O'Connor celebrates scoring a point (Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)
Announcing the news, they said: "Here at Audi Approved Kerry we are delighted to welcome Kerry and Austin Stacks footballer, Joe O'Connor as our Brand Ambassador for 2025.
"Joe collected his A5 from our Sales Manager, Emmet O'Grady at our dealership located in Tralee.
"From all the team at Audi Approved Kerry we would like to wish Joe and all his team the best of luck for the upcoming Munster and All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Campaign." Rugby Career
Before becoming an intercounty footballer with Kerry Joe played underage rugby with Munster. He was part of a successful Munster Under-18s team back in 2016 before focusing on GAA.
