He has 75 Ireland caps at all levels AND one mascot appearance.
No one has played more times at underage level for the Boys in Green than Lee O’Connor - who yesterday revealed that he led out the Under-21s as a nine-year-old.
His local team won a tournament and the prize was to be mascots for Ireland’s 2009 Euro qualifier against Switzerland in his hometown of Waterford.
In Don Givens’ side that day were Kevin Long, Alan Judge and James Collins.
Incredibly, 10 years and one month later, O’Connor lined out alongside that trio when he made his senior Ireland debut against New Zealand.
"There was an Under 8 tournament, seven a side and the winners were mascots for the Under-21s. It was Switzerland in the RSC down in Waterford, I was one of the mascots," said O'Connor.
Tonight the Tranmere Rovers man is back in Under-21 action and is aiming to steer the Under-21s closer to a place in the history books when they take on Bosnia & Herzegovina (Tallaght Stadium, 7.30pm).
It’s the first of three European qualification matches this month - three games that will decide whether O’Connor and Co make it to next year’s finals, clinch a play-off place or experience yet more disappointment at this level.
To become the first Irish side to qualify for the Under-21 Euros, O’Connor said yesterday, would be his greatest achievement yet.
This coming from a youngster who has been on the books at Manchester United, who played for Celtic and who won International Player of the Year at Under-15, Under-19 and Under-21 level, and who captained the 19s to the European finals in 2019.
“Definitely, I’d probably swap all the player of the year awards to qualify,” said the Waterford native, who can play in defence and midfield.
“Nobody has done it. Last year was probably the closest we’ve come to it. It is the perfect way to sign off for my underage career.”
O’Connor, who made his debut at Under-15s level against Poland, could never have imagined playing so often by the age of 21.
But now that he is on 74 youth caps, plus his one with the seniors, he doesn’t want the journey to end.
“It’s my last (underage) campaign hopefully and I want to get to 80,” he said. “And the only way to get to 80 is if we qualify.”
Wins at home to Bosnia tonight and Montenegro next Monday should guarantee a play-off spot, while six points could also keep alive the prospect of automatic qualification ahead of the visit to table-toppers Italy on June 14.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position so it’s obviously a massive game but for us we just need to keep improving,” said O’Connor.
“You can see as the campaign has gone on that we just keep improving as a group. Every camp we’ve come in we’ve got better.”
He added: “(Qualification) would mean a lot. This is my last campaign in the underage setup.
“I have had a lot of caps and I have had a great time but this would be the perfect way to top it off.”
Ireland boss Jim Crawford paid tribute to O’Connor, who has found regular first-team football over the past two seasons with League Two side Tranmere.
Following two loan spells at the Merseyside outfit, he signed permanently from Celtic last January.
Crawford said: “Lee is one of them who has grown for me over the last year and a bit in this campaign.
“Lee will be open enough to say that he’s a quiet fella. He’s definitely grown as a person over the last while.
“Lee has come in over the last few windows and for me he’s matured.”
Crawford believes that this Under-21 side is ready to make history and become the first Irish team to qualify for the finals.
“I think there are a lot of players who want to show how good they are, because there has been a lot said about nine under-21 players who were promoted to the senior team,” said the former Shelbourne midfielder.
“I have spoken to the players involved in the group numerous times now and that’s where they want to go.
“They see that there is a visible pathway for them to get to the senior team.
“If they can come to the 21s and put in positive performances and then go back to their clubs and build on that, there is every opportunity that they could get called up to the senior squad.
“There is a real drive, appetite and bulletproof determination to where they want to go.
“They are all driven. The ability is there, a fantastic team ethic, work ethic and it’s a privilege to be the head coach of this group of players and staff.”
Meanwhile, Under-21 boss Crawford won’t ask his yellow carded players to change their game - even if they are just one booking away from a suspension.
Conor Coventry, Gavin Kilkenny, Mark McGuinness, Ross Tierney and Tyriek Wright all have two cautions each, with a third triggering a one-match ban.
Ireland face three crucial qualifiers this month - at home to Bosnia & Herzegovina tonight, Montenegro on Monday and away to Italy on June 14.
And with qualification at stake, Crawford will need his best players available.
“This is the stage we’re at in the group, where we have a few players on two yellows. I think it’s going to be a window where a lot of players are going to be used,” he said.
But he won’t ask them to rein in their performances, despite the risk.
“You don't want them to change their game,” he said. “If it happens, it happens. That's why we have numbers in this window.
“Look, everybody has (suspension risks), it's not only us. I'm sure Bosnia has the same as Montenegro because it's that stage of the group where everything counts.”
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
