A cut above: Cork barber enjoys the small talk with Ireland football stars

In his role as the official barber for the Ireland men’s national football team, Cork hairdresser Ciarán ‘Kiwi’ O’Sullivan gets to rub shoulders with the cream of the crop in Irish sport, writes John O’Shea

While Cork hairdresser Ciarán “Kiwi” O’Sullivan was the official barber for golfers and caddies at the Irish Open, he also has another feather in his cap — he’s the official barber for the Ireland men’s national football team.

Ciarán began his career by working with multi award-winning stylist Wayne Lloyd in his city salon after finishing his Leaving Cert. In 2018, the Corkman opened his own business, KiwiCutz.

He is tasked with making sure all the players, from stars such as Chiedozie Ogbene, Caoimhín Kelleher to Troy Parrott and Evan Ferguson, have fresh and slick-looking haircuts for match day.

“There are definitely ‘pinch me’ moments with it,” Mr O’Sullivan told The Echo.

But, he says, at the end of the day they are just normal lads excelling in their careers.

“It is nice to catch up with them and have the chats with them,” he said.

On top of getting the Ireland players looking sharp ahead of the crucial games, Ciarán gets to know the players fairly well as his casual chats help them to switch off from the rush of the everyday madness of footballing life.

“I don’t talk about training or anything like that, just chit chat about life.

“It’s obviously nice for them to have someone to chat away with and take their mind off everything that is going on.

“Being in camp is obviously hard on them as well. The majority of them have families that they’re away from.”

At present, Ciarán is surrounded by plenty of Cork natives when he is on duty in the Irish football set-up.

He also has regular local clients in Cork GAA inter county footballers and hurlers, and has been cutting hair for the Irish football team since giving fellow Corkman and Ireland footballer John Egan a haircut in 2018.

“John came in to me in Cork city and asked me would I be interested in coming up to the Ireland soccer team and that a few of the lads wanted haircuts. There’s a decent number of Cork lads to be fair.

“They’ve always been supportive. Even off-season they do pop into the salon.”

Séamus Coleman recently departed Everton after more than 17 years, closing a remarkable chapter as one of the most dedicated captains and players in the history of the English Premier League club.

Ciarán knows him well.

“Seamus is just an absolute gent of a man. He is so down to earth and supportive. He is a leader. There are very few people that have his leadership skills, his understanding and passion.”

One of the perks of the job is that it brings Ciarán to so many different locations around Europe and the world.

“My first away trip was Malta. I have also done the likes of Amsterdam, Portugal and Greece. But, at the end of the day, you’re going there to work. You are there to do a job.”

He admits that getting the opportunity to attend games is also exciting.

“And it is nice to feel you have played some part in making the lads look fresh for the game.”

Overall, for Mr O’Sullivan, being the hairstylist for the team brings immense enjoyment to this skilled Corkman.

“It’s also lovely to get out of the salon and head up the road to Dublin,” he smiles.