[1] Born in Kilcullen, County Kildare, O'Connor grew up with an association with rugby union.
He managed Waterpark RFC before becoming involved with various hurling teams at Blackwater Community School.
O'Connor later served as manager of the Fourmilewater team before guiding Cappoquin to Munster success in the intermediate grade in 2014.
That same year he was part of the Waterford Institute of Technology Fitzgibbon Cup-winning management team.
He was appointed manager of the senior Kerry county hurling team in January 2016.