Turlough O’Connor was born into a strong football family as both his brothers Padraig and Michael also played for Athlone Town while his father also had a strong sporting background.

Turlough enjoyed a 35-year career in League of Ireland football as both a player, starting out with Limerick in 1963 before he represented his hometown club Athlone Town (two spells), followed by Bohemians (two spells), Fulham, and Dundalk.

His best spell came at Bohs, where he won two league titles and an FAI Cup and scored the majority of his 178 goals which makes him the fourth top goal scorer of all time in the League of Ireland. He also made seven appearances and scored two goals for the Republic of Ireland.

O’Connor would then have a successful managerial career which began at Athlone Town but after six seasons he became manager at Dundalk in 1985 where he won another two league titles, including a League and Cup double in 1987/88, during his eight-year reign.

Turlough took the hot seat at Bohemians and after a five-year managerial tenure, he retired in 1998.