Conor O'Sullivan (hurler)

Conor O'Sullivan

Personal information
Irish name	Conchur Ó Súilleabháin
Sport	Hurling
Position	Left corner-back
Born	8 March 1989 Glanmire, County Cork, Ireland
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Nickname	Sully
Occupation	Product analyst
Club(s)
Years	Club
2007-present	Sarsfield's
Club titles
Cork titles	4
Colleges(s)
Years	College
2008-2011	University College Cork
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles	1
Inter-county(ies)*
Years	County	Apps (scores)
2009-2015	Cork	11 (0-00)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles	0
All-Irelands	0
NHL	0
All Stars	0
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 20:24, 24 April 2015.

Conor O'Sullivan (born 8 March 1989) is an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Cork senior team.^[1]

Born in Glanmire, County Cork, O'Sullivan first excelled at hurling during his schooling at Glanmire Community College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork under-21 team. He made his senior during the 2009 league. O'Sullivan subsequently became a regular member of the team and won one Munster medal as a non-playing substitute. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

At club level O'Sullivan is a four-time championship medallist with Sarsfield's.

Throughout his career O'Sullivan made 11 championship appearances. He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 21 April 2015.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

Playing career

Club

O'Sullivan plays his club hurling with Sarsfield's and has enjoyed much success, in spite of missing out on the club's earlier underage boom.

On 28 September 2008 he lined out in his first senior championship decider with Bride Rovers providing the opposition. A goal by Robert O' Driscoll with seven minutes of normal time left proved the decisive score as Sarsfield's claimed a 2-14 to 2-13 victory.^[7] It was O'Sullivan's first championship medal.

After surrendering their championship crown to Newtownshandrum in 2009, Sarsfield's reached a third successive championship decider on 10 October 2010.^[8] Glen Rovers, who were playing in their first championship decider in nineteen years, provided the opposition. Michael Cussen set up Kieran Murphy for a key point late in the game. A narrow 1-17 to 0-18 victory gave O'Sullivan a second championship medal.^[9]

Sarsfield's failed to retain the title once again, however, on 7 October 2012 O'Sullivan lined out in his fourth championship decider in five years. Sars were the more experienced side as Bishopstown were the surprise finalists. In spite of this, it took a late goal from Robert O'Driscoll to secure a 1-15 to 1-13 victory.^[10]

Inter-county

O'Sullivan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the so-called Cork "development panel" in late 2008.^[11] This new team came into being as a result of the 2008 hurling panel's refusal to play under manager Gerald McCarthy. O'Sullivan first lined out for Cork in a challenge game to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Colman's College. On that occasion the new Cork team defeated a star-studded St. Colman's team which featured many Cork stars of the past.^[12] He later impressed in some subsequent challenge games and was named on the starting fifteen for Cork's National Hurling League campaign.

After making his competitive debut in a 4-14 to 1-14 defeat by Dublin in the opening round of the 2009 National Hurling League, O'Sullivan quickly became a regular member of the starting fifteen.^[13][14][15]

The resignation of Gerald McCarthy as manager resulted in the 2008 panel returning to the inter-county set-up. O'Sullivan was one of four players from the old 2009 development panel who was included for Cork's National League clash with Clare.^[16]

References

1. "Player profile: Conor O'Sullivan". Cork GAA website. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
2. "Conor O'Sullivan opts out of Cork hurling panel". RTÉ Sport. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
3. "Conor O'Sullivan's Cork exit offers opportunity to others, says Johnny Crowley". Irish Examiner. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
4. "Conor O'Sullivan leaves Cork hurling panel". GAA website. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
5. O'Riordan, Ian (21 April 2015). "Conor O'Sullivan opts out of Cork hurling panel". Irish Times. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
6. Foley, Cliona (21 April 2015). "O'Sullivan quits Cork panel to focus on club career". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
7. Larkin, Brendan (29 September 2008). "Sars young guns bridge 51-year gap". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
8. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (12 October 2009). "Newtown know-how snuffs out Sars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
9. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (11 October 2010). "Sars show true grit to battle back for victory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
10. Moynihan, Michael (8 October 2012). "Style and steel seal third title in five years for Sars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
11. "McCarthy's Men". Irish Independent. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
12. Moynihan, Michael (24 November 2008). "Few highlights as young rebels get the better of stars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
13. "RTÉ Sport GAA Championship: Cork 1-14 Dublin 4-14". RTÉ Sport. 8 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
14. "Tipp make light work of Cork in tame affair". Irish Independent. 15 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
15. "RTÉ Sport GAA Championship: Cork 1-11 Galway 4-16". RTÉ Sport. 1 March 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
16. "Rebels back to future as 14 recalled for Clare clash". RTÉ Sport. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.