Limerick native Paudie O’Connor scores against Arsenal

Former Limerick FC centre-back Paudie O’Connor was on the scoresheet for current club Blackpool at the Emirates Stadium against English giants Arsenal in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. 

O’Connor started the game at centre-back and it would be a hugely eventful night for the youngster. The Seasiders were on the end of a narrow 2-1 defeat against their more illustrious opponents. Stephane Lichsteiner gave the home side the lead before Emile Smith-Rowe doubled their advantage and it looked like it would be an extremely long night for the visitors.

However, just after the hour mark, O’Connor rose highest to head home from a corner to halve the deficit. The Ballybrown native had also hit the post with an earlier effort. As the game became stretched, Arsenal star striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang drew a foul from O’Connor and the referee produced a straight red to bring a premature end to the Limerick man’s night. 

It was an eventful night for the Leeds United loanee who is currently on loan for the whole 2018/2019 campaign at Blackpool. He will be hoping to impress Leeds manager Marco Bielsa in order to gain a recall for next season. 

O’Connor’s hometown club Limerick FC were delighted with the achievement for their former player as the official club account stated,  “Well done to former #LimerickFC player Paudie O’Connor who scored for Blackpool in their Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this evening, having hit the crossbar shortly before that. Unfortunately, Paudie received a late red card for a tackle on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Blackpool were beaten 2-1.”