Aaron O'Sullivan makes his mark in England

AARON O’SULLIVAN will return to Ireland in June, but during his time in England, he has made an impression.

The West Cork man, who plays for Ilen Rovers, is based in Liverpool since last September to complete his masters in PE teaching and played football (Gaelic football) for Liverpool Hope University and last month the University won the British Championship with O’Sullivan playing a key part in their success in the forward department.

The 23-year-old takes up the story from the very start.

“I was below in MTU Kerry, and to finish my course I would have to do two years back home, whereas over here in England you would be done in a year. That was the main attraction coming to Liverpool,” he says.

“My aim from talking to Ilen Rovers was to just keep playing and staying fit for when I return home. The University I go to here has a football team, so it worked out well from that point of view. After the first training session, I was actually surprised by the standard of football, the quality was really high. It’s more than I thought it would be. Most of the players are from Northern Ireland, so it was nice to be with lads that I would never have come up against.” 

The British championship was all about a sprint to the finish back in March, three games, 60 minutes long, in the space of 24 hours. It was all about which team would hold it together.

“Mentally and physically it tested you and you simply had to be tuned in,” O’Sullivan says.

“The first championship game was on the Saturday in Birmingham against Sterling University from Scotland. We got over the line in that one, winning on a scoreline of 6-20 to 0-7. I scored 1-1, but didn’t play all of it, and then we had to play a few hours later against another team from Scotland, Queen Margaret University. It was a tough game despite the scoreline, it ended up 2-19 to 0-9. I was lucky enough to grab 1-3 in that one.

“At least we had the night to rest and then we played the final on the Sunday against University of Nottingham. It was a big game as we knew it was going to be the last match together as a group. We had trained hard since around October time, so we wanted to go out on a high. It was a tight and tense game as you would expect for a final. They were a very good side, but we just about got over the line, 2-12 to 2-7. I kicked 1-3, in what was a good team performance.” 

The forward believes his experience of playing football in England will only benefit him in the short and long term. Liverpool Hope University also competed in the Corn na Mac Léinn, a Higher Education competition, but lost the final to rivals John Moores University.

“There was no player from Cork on the panel, just one guy from Munster, so that was a challenge in itself,” said O’Sullivan.

“But, I got on well with the players. I have made friends for life. Football has kept me occupied since I came over here. As I said at the start, in the many training sessions and games I got through over here, the quality has really surprised me. Some really good players I have been lucky enough to have played with and against. I would like to think this period will only help me as a footballer, and will make me a better player. I have really enjoyed it, but I'm looking forward to going back home in June and getting back with Ilen Rovers.” 

O’Sullivan has been a vital component on the Ilen Rovers team over the last few years. The Baltimore based club has endured a tough period though. A top-flight club just three years ago and contested the 2007 final, losing to Nemo Rangers, the West Cork team suffered demotion from the Premier SFC in 2021 and then relegation from the SAFC last year. 

In the PIFC group stage this year, the team in green and white will face Iveleary, Aghabullogue and Aghada.

“We aren’t where we hoped we would be, but that’s sport. We are in transition at the moment, but we are positive about this season. We want to get back to where we think we should be and that’s the senior ranks.” O’Sullivan concluded.