Tony O'Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Tony O'Sullivan is an Irish
retired sportsperson. A dual player
, he played both hurling
and Gaelic football
with his local club Na Piarsaigh
and was a member of both Cork senior inter-county teams in the 1980s and 1990s.
with the Na Piarsaigh
club on the north side of Cork city. He enjoyed much success with the club and won senior county titles
in 1990 and 1995.
at minor level in the early 1980s. He won both Munster and All-Ireland
medals with the hurlers in 1979. Two years later in 1981 O’Sullivan won both Munster and All-Ireland
medals with the footballers. The following year he won another brace of Munster and All-Ireland
honours with the under-21 hurlers. In 1984 he won Munster and All-Ireland
medals with Cork’s under-21 football team.
By this stage O’Sullivan had joined the Cork senior hurling team. He won his first Munster
title in 1982, however, Cork were later defeated by Kilkenny
in the All-Ireland final. In spite of this loss his performance earned him his first All-Star
award. O’Sullivan came on as a substitute in 1983 to win a second Munster medal, however, once again Kilkenny accounted for the Leesiders in the All-Ireland final. The following year O’Sullivan won a second Munster title and, once again, Cork qualified for the championship decider. In a special All-Ireland final played at Semple Stadium
in Thurles
Cork defeated Offaly
, giving O’Sullivan his first senior All-Ireland
medal. He won a fourth provincial medal in 1985, however, Cork were later defeated by Galway
in the All-Ireland semi-final. 1986 saw O’Sullivan win a fifth consecutive Munster medal, a win which later allowed Cork to qualify for the All-Ireland final. In spite of being ranked as undergogs, Cork defeated Galway and O’Sullivan won a second All-Ireland medal. His performances during the year later earned him a second All-Star.
Cork lost their provincial crown for the next few seasons, however, O’Sullivan was Cork’s sole All-Star winner in 1988. Two years later in 1990 he added a sixth Munster medal to his collection. Once again Cork faced Galway in the subsequent All-Ireland final and, once again, Cork were the rank outsiders. In a thrilling and high-scoring game Cork accounted for the men from the west and O’Sullivan picked up a third All-Ireland medal. Once again he collected an All-Star award and was also named as the Texaco Hurler of the Year
. Two years later O’Sullivan won a seventh provincial title, before lining out in a sixth All-Ireland final. Unfortunately, victory went to Kilkenny on the day, however, O’Sullivan was honoured with a fifth All-Star award. In 1993 he won a National Hurling League
medal after a three-game saga with Wexford
. This was O’Sullivan’s last major honour as a player and he retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
O'Sullivan also won Railway Cup honours with Munster
in 1985 and 1992.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
retired sportsperson. A dual player
Dual player
Dual player or dual star is a term used in Gaelic games to describe a player who plays both Men's Gaelic football and Hurling or Ladies' Gaelic football and Camogie. The player doesn't necessarily have to play at the same standard in both sports...
, he played both hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Na Piarsaigh
Na Piarsaigh GAA
Na Piarsaigh are a Hurling and Gaelic football club based in the north side of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1943.-Birth of the club:...
and was a member of both Cork senior inter-county teams in the 1980s and 1990s.
Club
O’Sullivan played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the Na Piarsaigh
Na Piarsaigh GAA
Na Piarsaigh are a Hurling and Gaelic football club based in the north side of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1943.-Birth of the club:...
club on the north side of Cork city. He enjoyed much success with the club and won senior county titles
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
in 1990 and 1995.
Inter-county
O’Sullivan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a dual playerDual player
Dual player or dual star is a term used in Gaelic games to describe a player who plays both Men's Gaelic football and Hurling or Ladies' Gaelic football and Camogie. The player doesn't necessarily have to play at the same standard in both sports...
at minor level in the early 1980s. He won both Munster and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
medals with the hurlers in 1979. Two years later in 1981 O’Sullivan won both Munster and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
medals with the footballers. The following year he won another brace of Munster and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
honours with the under-21 hurlers. In 1984 he won Munster and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
medals with Cork’s under-21 football team.
By this stage O’Sullivan had joined the Cork senior hurling team. He won his first Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title in 1982, however, Cork were later defeated by Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in the All-Ireland final. In spite of this loss his performance earned him his first All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
award. O’Sullivan came on as a substitute in 1983 to win a second Munster medal, however, once again Kilkenny accounted for the Leesiders in the All-Ireland final. The following year O’Sullivan won a second Munster title and, once again, Cork qualified for the championship decider. In a special All-Ireland final played at Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
in Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
Cork defeated Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
, giving O’Sullivan his first senior All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal. He won a fourth provincial medal in 1985, however, Cork were later defeated by Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in the All-Ireland semi-final. 1986 saw O’Sullivan win a fifth consecutive Munster medal, a win which later allowed Cork to qualify for the All-Ireland final. In spite of being ranked as undergogs, Cork defeated Galway and O’Sullivan won a second All-Ireland medal. His performances during the year later earned him a second All-Star.
Cork lost their provincial crown for the next few seasons, however, O’Sullivan was Cork’s sole All-Star winner in 1988. Two years later in 1990 he added a sixth Munster medal to his collection. Once again Cork faced Galway in the subsequent All-Ireland final and, once again, Cork were the rank outsiders. In a thrilling and high-scoring game Cork accounted for the men from the west and O’Sullivan picked up a third All-Ireland medal. Once again he collected an All-Star award and was also named as the Texaco Hurler of the Year
Texaco Hurler of the Year
The Texaco Hurler of the Year is a hurling award, created in 1958, that honours the achievements of a hurler of outstanding excellence. The award is part of the Texaco Sportstars Awards, in which Irish sportspeople from all fields are honoured....
. Two years later O’Sullivan won a seventh provincial title, before lining out in a sixth All-Ireland final. Unfortunately, victory went to Kilkenny on the day, however, O’Sullivan was honoured with a fifth All-Star award. In 1993 he won a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
medal after a three-game saga with Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
. This was O’Sullivan’s last major honour as a player and he retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
O'Sullivan also won Railway Cup honours with Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in 1985 and 1992.