Career
O'Connor was also a very good field athlete, winning the 1893 Australasian shot put title. Tim O'Connor began his rugby career playing for the Auckland Combined Clubs in 1881 under the North Shore club. By the time he was in his early 20s, there were few better rugby players anywhere in Auckland.
In 1884 O'Connor was included in the New Zealand side to tour Australia. This selection came after having a couple of strong seasons for Auckland Combined Clubs also his bulk (at 89 kg, he and James Allen were the heaviest forwards team) and pace, surprising for such a big man, made him an invaluable tourist. O'Connor played in seven of the matches that year and managed to score a try in the fourth against N.S.W. in.
After the 84' tour he came back to resume his club rugby for the Auckland club. He stuck with Auckland up until he played his last year of rugby for Ponsonby. After one season for Ponsonby O'Connor then served for a few years on the Ponsonby committee before turning his attention to the now defunct City club (which had basically taken over the Auckland club's area) and served as auditor to that body for many years.