Robert O' Driscoll

Robert O' Driscoll (born 20 Feb 1989) is an Irish hurler who played at right corner-forward for the Cork senior team, under 21 team and minor team .

Born in Glanmire, County Cork, O'Driscoll first excelled at hurling in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of 18 when he first linked up with the Cork minor team losing to Tipperary in the Munster final and then at 19 was called up to cork under 21 team . He made his senior debut in the 2009 National Hurling League. O'Driscoll has since gone on to play with cork seniors in 2009, however, he has enjoyed little success in terms of silverware.

At club level O'Driscoll plays with Sarsfields GAA (Cork) and has won three championship medals and one county minor medal .

Career

Club

O'Driscoll plays his club hurling with Sarsfield's and has enjoyed success.

On 28 September 2008 he lined out in his first senior championship decider with Bride Rovers providing the opposition. A goal by O'Driscoll with seven minutes of normal time left proved the decisive score as Sarsfield's claimed a 2-14 to 2-13 victory. It was O'Driscolls first championship medal.

After surrendering their championship crown to Newtownshandrum in 2009, Sarsfield's reached a third successive championship decider on 10 October 2010. Glen Rovers, who were playing in their first championship decider in nineteen years, provided the opposition. Michael Cussen set up Kieran Murphy for a key point late in the game. A narrow 1-17 to 0-18 victory gave O'Driscoll a second championship medal.

Sarsfield's failed to retain the title once again, however, on 7 October 2012 O'Driscoll lined out in his fourth championship decider in five years.^[1] Sars were the more experienced side as Bishopstown were the surprise finalists. In spite of this, it took a late goal from O'Driscoll to secure a 1-15 to 1-13 victory.^[2][3][4][5]

Inter-county

O'Driscoll first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the so-called Cork "development panel" in late 2008.This new team came into being as a result of the 2008 hurling panel's refusal to play under manager Gerald McCarthy. O'Driscoll first lined out for Cork in a challenge game to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Colman's College. On that occasion the new Cork team defeated a star-studded St. Colman's team which featured many Cork stars of the past.

After making his competitive debut in a 4-14 to 1-14 defeat by Dublin in the opening round of the 2009 National Hurling League .

The resignation of Gerald McCarthy as manager resulted in the 2008 panel returning to the inter-county set-up. O driscoll has been a member of the extended on extended cork senior panel.

^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

References

1. Cork Independent | County Hurling Final day, nothing beats been there
2. Larkin, Brendan (29 September 2008). "Sars young guns bridge 51-year gap". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 October 2008
3. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (12 October 2009). "Newtown know-how snuffs out Sars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2013
4. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (11 October 2010). "Sars show true grit to battle back for victory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2013
5. Moynihan, Michael (8 October 2012). "Style and steel seal third title in five years for Sars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2013
6. Sportsfile - Sarsfields v Bride Rovers - Cork County Senior Hurling.Retrieved 2 March 2009
7. "McCarthy's Men". Irish Independent. 21 November 2008.Retrieved 2 March 2009
8. "RTÉ Sport GAA Championship: Cork 1-14 Dublin 4-14". RTÉ Sport. 8 February 2009.Retrieved 2 March 2009
9. "Tipp make light work of Cork in tame affair". Irish Independent. 15 February 2009.Retrieved 2 March 2009 .
10. "RTÉ Sport GAA Championship: Cork 1-11 Galway 4-16". RTÉ Sport. 1 March 2009.Retrieved 2 March 2009