Willie John O'Connell

Willie John O'Connell (1869 to 25 April 1897) was an Irish hurler who played as a quarter-back at senior level for the Cork county team. He made his first appearance for Cork during the 1893 championship and was a regular member of the team for the next three seasons, winning two All-Ireland medals and two Munster medals. At club level he played with St Finbarr's and was captain of the senior team from 1895 until his death in 1897. He died after a freak accident in a trial game, following a clash with his teammate Denis Coughlan, and was the first member of the Gaelic Athletic Association to die on the field of play.