Adrian O'Sullivan back to full fitness and ready to help Ballincollig launch their Super League challenge

Basketballer Adrian O’Sullivan can’t wait for the Domino’s Men’s Super League to start this weekend when they travel to play Limerick in their opening game.

Last season ended in huge personal disappointment as he never finished the last campaign when he picked up a nasty ankle injury against UCD Marian with the business end of the season approaching.

O’Sullivan will be starting his 10th Super League campaign. He played five with UCC Demons and the last four with his boyhood club Ballincollig.

He also played four years overseas in Prep School in New York and then in England, Germany and Spain.

He has also been a member of the Irish senior men’s team for the last decade, and recently he lined out against Norway in the JYST International Summer Series at the National Arena last July.

“I absolutely can’t wait for the new season, because of an ankle I picked up that ended my season prematurely," O'Sullivan said.

“It happened just before the play-offs and after a long gruelling year, I never got to play when it mattered most, so it was an extra long summer because of that, so I’m hungry to get back on the court again.

“I’m going into my 10th season in the Super League overall, which is mad in ways as it feels like yesterday when it all began.

“I left school after my leaving cert and played a season in Trinity Pawling Prep school in up state New York. 

"I then returned home to Cork to study in UCC and played with UCC Demons for five seasons before I did a three year-stint abroad in England, Germany and Spain.

This is now my fifth year playing with Ballincollig in the Super League.

“I was extremely busy this off-season work wise. 

"I work for myself, so there can be a stage in the season where I suppose I can’t overdo it, so when it comes to the summer time I tend to push it that little bit more. 

"It’s just what comes with it, but it’s very enjoyable. 

"To prepare for the new season I definitely needed to get my ankle right first and then it was regularly getting back in the gym and start to touch the ball again. 

"I’ve gotten better as the years have gone on by not pounding the legs too early, and I trust the timeline I draw out for myself earlier in the summer.

“Honestly, my expectations never change for our group.

"We need to be in the melting pot when it comes to crunch time again this year.

"There is a big commitment from so many teams in the country, however, I expect us to match that and beyond if we are to be successful.

“The challenge that lies ahead for us is just see how good some of the teams are. 

"Demons and Killester were at the top teams last season, and I don't see them being far away from that again this year.

"Sligo and Killorglin have endless talent and we all know Eanna, Tralee, Neptune and Star are never too far from a trophy. 

"The league is where it should be in terms of talent, with teams beating one another week in week out in the last number of years and our biggest challange will be can we consistently stay with such talent across the season and peak at the right times in games?

“The biggest change this year is the two Irish player rule. 

"I like it in one regard, but I see both sides to the argument as to why the more professionals we bring here, the better the league will be.

“We’ve always played with two Irish on the floor in Ballincollig ever since we came into the League and a few other teams have also done so. 

"I think it’s going to ask questions of us Irish guys about our fitness levels and shooting percentages etc. 

"That will make us an even bigger part of the League now and it will be interesting to how can we cope with that and how can our younger players who may not have seen the court as much in previous seasons pan out with some top players. 

"I think it will make for an interesting season with that aspect alone.

“I think the front runners have consisted of the same teams in semi finals each season the last number of years.

"Demons and Killester more recently, but Eanna, Tralee and particularly Star have made big moves this off-season and are ones to watch yet again!

“Playing internationally is something I’ve never taken lightly in my career and the goal is always to compete at the highest level possible and put myself out there. 

"This season I will do the same and we will see where it takes me,” O’Sullivan added.