The Dublin hurler with Cork blood looking to take down the Rebels

Traolach Terry O’Sullivan will have mixed emotions this Saturday evening when Cork face Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final at Croke Park (5pm).

A proud Garnish and Cork man, he moved up to the big smoke 32 years ago for work purposes where he has been ever since and also reared a family in the capital. His son is an influential player on the Dublin team looking to take down the Rebels this weekend.

Wing-forward Cian O’Sullivan has been an integral part of Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s outfit. He scored 1-1 the last day out in the memorable success over Limerick. The family spends every summer in the heart of Beara in beautiful Allihies.

“It’s going to be a strange experience at the weekend, but either way, I can’t lose,” Traolach says.

“If my son isn’t in the All-Ireland final, Cork will be, so looking forward to the game, nervous of course.

“Dublin played Cork a few years ago in the league below in Cork and that was the very first time in my life I cheered against Cork. Cian actually played well that evening, scoring a few points.

“I read the other day that Cian is only one point off the top of the scoring charts from play in this year’s championship. He has 3-17, not a bad return from a fella who comes from a family with no hurling pedigree that came before him. He loves the game and prepares like a professional.

“I knew when he was at a young age that he was going to be decent at hurling. He has a great eye for the ball and is very skilful. We have a green across the road from our home and we had a collie dog. She was mad for a ball. Cian learnt to puck the ball from his weak side by hitting the ball to her and this was happening for hours every day. 

"It helped him and he’s such a talented and committed player. We are so proud of him, myself, my wife Margaret and his sister Caitríona.” 

Dublin did go under the radar prior to last Saturday week’s stunning victory over Limerick. It was a fully deserved win. 

“It was an incredible day against Limerick,” O’Sullivan said.

“I wouldn’t say I was confident, but I had a feeling that Dublin would give Limerick a really strong test on the day. When Dublin got a player sent off after 15 minutes, we all said that the team would get hammered. My God, the character of Dublin was something else. I know everyone is going on about the two Dublin goals that won them the game, but that save by Seán Brennan from Aaron Gillane was out of this world.

“I think Dublin can replicate that display against Cork. The belief is in the panel. If you look back to last year in Thurles, Cork won by five points and the narrative was that Cork never got out of third gear, but the Dubs had nearly 20 wides that day.

“The other three semi-finalists this year have over 90 All-Ireland titles between them and Dublin have six. Hurling is the poor cousin to football here in the capital, but the win over Limerick will move the game to another level. I know Dublin reached the All-Ireland semi-final in 2013, but there’s more profile now and better structures to kick on.” 

Traolach will be biting his nails on Saturday evening in the Hogan Stand, so how does he think the game will pan out?

“I honestly believe the fight and confidence is there in this Dublin team and will give Cork one hell of a game. Cork will probably shade it, but I am hoping Cian plays well. Hurling will be the winner.”