Q: You graduated with a degree in agricultural science in 2017. Do you have good memories?

A: I loved every minute of it and I wish I could go back. The classgroup, the lecturers and the Ag Society were all great. It is a community that builds and now that we are in the working world it is still there. I don’t think you see that as much with other courses.

Q: Talk me through how you got into MSD Animal Health?

A: It is the beauty of the ag degree. In third year you get an opportunity to undertake work experience. I was trying to go to America on my placement but it fell through. I saw a late entry from MSD Animal Health in an area of marketing. So I sent in an application, went for two interviews and got the internship in January 2016 until July.When I finished, I was told there was an opportunity for me to come back.

In September 2017, I went for an interview as a marketing associate, I got the role and started back with the company.

Q: What does a marketing associate do?

A: I was responsible for designing advertisements for some of our products that would go in publications such as the Irish Farmers Journal. A growing responsibility was to manage the new evolving face in the industry which is digital media.

You are also responsible for keeping merchandise in stock and helping the sales and technical team prepare for meeting and events.

Jack O'Connor at the MSD - Time to Vaccinate launch. \ Philip Doyle

Q: You were promoted to a ruminant product manager earlier this year. How did you find taking a role with that responsibility so young?

A: I initially went for the ruminant marketing manager position. The idea was a bit daunting at the start that I would move into such a senior position so young. It held a lot of responsibility but nevertheless I was partly successful because they decided to split the positions into two ruminant product manager roles.

Q: You have more responsibility now, how are you handling it? Do you get stressed?

A: I am more of a glass half full character. Even though you are faced with challenges and pressure, all jobs are about managing that pressure and prioritizing what needs to be done quickly. I try to leave my work at work when I leave at five or six in the evening and pick it up again in the morning. That is crucial. There are disciplines from the sporting world that transfer over to your career. Being organised and committed to getting things done on time is one of them.

Q: O’Connor is a famous hurling name in the southeast. With your father John and uncle George so prominent in hurling circles, was there pressure on you to play?

A There was never any pressure on me, it was more just about enjoying hurling and football. At the age of 12 or 13, the opportunity to make the underage county panels opened up and that is when I thought that I would love to go on and play for Wexford. But there was never any direct pressure.

Q: You broke onto the senior panel in 2015 after a very successful U21 run, what was that feeling like?

A: It was cool. It is everything you thought of and dreamt of, but when it happens it isn’t a huge deal. It is just like another game. You set a new goal. I made it here now, what do I want to achieve next?

Jack O'Connor at the MSD - Time to Vaccinate launch. \ Philip Doyle

Q: How difficult was balancing college and presently work with the demands of inter-county hurling?

A: It is not as difficult now. But definitely in first year of college I found it very challenging to study, play hurling and sometimes fit in because during certain parts of the year you missed the class social nights out due to hurling commitments especially in the springtime.

The next morning in college you might be the only one left out of the loop in terms of knowing the craic that was had the night before.

Obviously there were a few nights where you tried to sneak out but as you broke onto the team you couldn’t be doing that. You had to knuckle down and train hard to keep your place on the team. It got easier from second year onwards.

Today, I have a very good working life, between being in the office and on the road meeting people. There are business social events as well which are excellent for networking.

Q: Whether you like it or not you have a public profile now, is that something you are aware of?

A: Whatever sporting profile I have, I would be conscious at events that some younger children, especially in my home club, would look up to you. In terms of the agri world, I wouldn’t consider myself to have a profile at the minute. I still have to learn my trade. I am still young and I am learning from the best in the industry in my company. I think I will naturally develop my skills in the animal health industry, but for now I am still full of ears and eyes and learning.

Looking back on the immediate past, I should have given more thought to doing a master’s after college, but I am actually happier to have a year and a half of work experience under my belt and I can now do a masters part-time if needs be

Q: Where does Jack O’Connor see himself in the future in terms of his career?

A: Look, if you stand still in the ag industry, you will be left behind. I will be giving attention to my education and up-skilling myself, possibly part-time. I do see myself staying within the animal health industry. I have grown a passion for that. Short-term goals would be to keep progressing and learning at MSD and to get better at the job I am currently doing. A long-term goal would be to move up the management chain, maybe into European and global roles within the company. It would be great to see other parts of the world as I didn’t get the opportunity to travel after college with the sporting commitments.

Q: Any regrets?

A: I don’t think I have any regrets because I am still young. Looking back on the immediate past, I should have given more thought to doing a master’s after college, but I am actually happier to have a year and half work experience under my belt and I can now do a master’s part-time if needs be. Other than that, I have no regrets. I loved my course and the industry I am after falling into.