Double blow for Cork ladies footballers as Ciara and Doireann O'Sullivan bow out
Cork sisters Ciara and Doireann O'Sullivan when they both won TG4 All-Star awards in 2018. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
CORK ladies football has suffered a double blow as both Ciara and Doireann O’Sullivan have announced their inter-county retirements.
Neither has been involved in their league games to date and both have confirmed they are stepping away from the Cork setup after more than 28 years on the senior panel between them.
Ciara is the last Cork captain to lift the Brendan Martin Cup in 2016 and will be remembered as one of the top players to have played ladies football.
Since that win Cork have only featured in two finals, losing to Dublin in both 2018 and 2020, with both Ciara and Doireann featuring prominently in both games for the Rebels.
Doireann took over the captaincy from Ciara but unfortunately never got to lift the All-Ireland cup for her county, an honour she deserved considering the service she has given to Cork. One of the top forwards to have ever played the game her scoring prowess will be hard to match in the coming years.
Roisin Phelan has also indicated that she is stepping down from inter-county football which is another huge loss to the Rebels.
Commenting on her retirement Ciara said: “After 16 very enjoyable years playing with the Cork seniors I’ve decided to hang up my inter-county boots.
“I’ve had the privilege of learning from the best coaches and managers and playing with some of the best players.
“ I’ve made great friends and have amazing memories from my time with Cork but all good things must come to an end.
“I’m looking forward to focusing fully on club football now and to shouting the Cork girls on from the other side of the wire going forward."
Cork manager Shane Ronayne said he was sorry to see Ciara retire as he acknowledged her illustrious playing career.
“Ciara has been a phenomenal player for Cork for the past 16 years at inter-county level.
“She is one of the finest players of her generation and will be long remembered for her contribution to her county. She often played through the pain barrier for Cork and that is one of her most admirable qualities, that she was willing to put it all on the line for her county.
“On behalf of all the management I would like to thank Ciara for all she has done for Cork over the years and wish her the best of luck in her continuing club career and professional one as well.”
Commenting on Doireann's announcement he added: "Doireann has been one of finest scoring forwards Cork or indeed the country has ever produced.
"Her long-range shooting was a joy to watch and her ruthlessness in going for goals was second to none. As a free-taker one wouldn’t wish to have anyone else with the ball in their hands. In recent years she has been plagued by serious injuries which time and time again she overcame to make herself available to play.
"The management would like to thank Doireann for her brilliant service to Cork and wish her all the best with Mourneabbey and in her personal and professional life.”
Speaking about her retirement Doireann said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with Cork for the past 12 years.
“I have loved the friendships I’ve made and the craic we had along the way. I’d like to thank all the management teams I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
“It’s always sad to close the book on a chapter but I’m looking forward to club football and having time to do other things.”
Ciara collected eight All-Ireland medals during a golden era for Cork. She is a five-time All-Star, honoured in 2012, '14, '16, '18 and most recently in 2023. Doireann has won five All-Ireland titles as well as an All-Star in 2018.
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