O'Connor played Gaelic football and hurling at all levels as a student at Coláiste Treasa in Kanturk.
He was part of the school's senior team that won the Munster PPS SCHC title in 2020 after a 2-14 to 2-12 win over Scoil Pól Kilfinane in the final.
He top scored with seven points when the amalgamation won the Duhallow U21AFC title in 2025, following a 0-14 to 1-10 win over Dromtarriffe/Kanturk in the final.
He was joint-captain that year when the team claimed the Munster MFC title after a 1-17 to 0-13 win over Limerick.
[9] O'Connor made his senior team debut when he came on as a substitute for Chris Óg Jones in a 2-21 to 0-13 defeat by Roscommon in March 2025.