Scoreline.ie
  • GAA
  • Camogie
  • Soccer
  • Rugby
  • Podcasts
  • Other Sports
No Result
View All Result
KCLR
Scoreline.ie
No Result
View All Result
Scoreline.ie
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

Kilkenny man signs professional contract with Southampton

Stephen Byrne by Stephen Byrne
Wednesday 18 May, 2016
in Soccer
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Image by: Naomi Baker/Southampton FC

Image by: Naomi Baker/Southampton FC

A 17-year-old Kilkenny man has put pen to paper on a two and a half-year deal with Premier League side Southampton.

Central midfielder Thomas O Connor got his first professional contract yesterday after only joining the club last year.

Southamptons Academy has produced players like Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana.

The central midfielder successfully completed the first year of his two-year scholarship this season, where he made 18 appearances for Craig Fleming’s Under-18s, and broke into the Under-21s too, making four appearances towards the end of the campaign.

Thomas’s gaa club is Tullogher Rosbercon and he has also won a post primary schools gaelic football medal with Good Counsel New Ross.

Speaking to Southamptonfc.co.uk, the local man said…..

“It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was three or four years of age so it’s hard to believe that this day has finally come. I’m delighted.”

Having started out his career in his native Ireland, O’Connor says the opportunity to develop his career at Saints is one that he couldn’t refuse.

He said: “I started playing soccer when I was about five and I went to a few clubs, but when I came to Southampton I knew it was the right place and I’m just delighted to be offered a contract here. There was no doubt in my mind that this is the right place to come.

“It was difficult at the start, but once I got into the swing of it and got to know the lads I just settled down and playing football every day is something you can’t beat.”

His four appearances for the Under-21s team have left O’Connor wanting a taste of more, and his aim now is to establish himself at that level next season.

“It’s a big step up, but once you get to know the lads there as well in that group and start playing with the lads day-in, day-out you improve too, and it’s always nice to make the step up,” he said.

“I just want to work hard in the off season, get fit in pre-season and hopefully make the step up into the Under-21s next year, that’s the aim.”

Latest Updates

Scoreline.ie is merging with KCLR
General Sport

Scoreline.ie is merging with KCLR

by Ken McGuire
8th November 2024
0

Effective 8 November 2024, Scoreline.ie, KCLR's dedicated sports news website for Kilkenny and Carlow, is merging with KCLR96fm.com.

Read moreDetails

Thomastown Manager Noel Doherty Prepares for Leinster Quarter-Final Challenge Against Castletown-Geoghegan

“I Don’t Think Anything is Gonna Stop These Girls” – Bennekerry/Tinryland Set for Historic AIB Leinster Ladies Intermediate Club Final

Thomastown’s John Donnelly Crowned KCLR Hurling Podcast Player of the Year

“I’m Lost for Words” – St Lachtains Manager Steven Farrell Expresses.

Latest Podcasts

Podcast

The Kilkenny Soccer Podcast: Conor English of Bridge united, Referee Issues & More

7th November 2024
Podcast

The Carlow Soccer Podcast: Oscar Traynor, Vale Wanderers & More

6th November 2024
Caman Caint

Camán Caint S07E13: Historic Piltown march onto their first senior Leinster club final and we look back at last weekends Junior County final

5th November 2024
Hurling

The KCLR Hurling Podcast: Season Wrap-Up: Junior Final Review, All-Stars, and Top Honors

4th November 2024
Scoreline.ie

Scoreline is KCLR's sports brand, bringing you the latest sporting news from Kilkenny, Carlow and around the country.

Listen live on-air and online weekends from 2pm.

Follow us on social media:

Show Times

  • Monday 7-8pm
  • Friday 7-8pm
  • Weekends 2-6pm

(plus earlier / later coverage on live match days)

Podcasts

  • Podcasts Home
  • The KCLR Hurling Podcast
  • Camán Caint
  • The Clash Act
  • The Knock On

Contact Scoreline.ie

KCLR Sport
Leggettsrath Business Park
Carlow Road
Kilkenny R95 YTD5

E: [email protected]
T: 1800 909696

© 2023 KCLR · All rights reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • GAA
  • Camogie
  • Soccer
  • Rugby
  • Podcasts
  • Other Sports

© 2023 KCLR · All rights reserved