Sars selector Diarmuid O'Sullivan on what it takes to make it for Cork: You must deliver for your club first 

When the great full-backs of Cork hurling are discussed, Diarmuid O’Sullivan is up with the best in Rebel red.

After winning successive All-Ireland medals and being handed the number three geansaí at U21, he went on to pick up Liam MacCarthy three times, in 1999, 2004 and 2005.

Four All-Stars and one Railway Cup medal for good measure made him a fan favourite, noted for his swashbuckling style during his days with Cork and Cloyne. He was a fine footballer too, playing for the Cork seniors and collecting a Munster medal and he also competed at a high level in rugby.

At club level, he suffered the disappointment of being on three losing Cloyne teams in senior finals but did win an intermediate, as well as a senior medal for Imokilly, when they defeated Sarsfields in '97.

After retiring from Cork duty at the end of the 2008 season, he stayed lining out with Cloyne until the age of 46. In 2024, against Youghal in a Junior B Hurling Championship game,a knee injury finally finished his playing career.

“Look, we did well at Cloyne but you are judged on success and that didn’t fall for us but the one thing we did was raise the standard of club hurling in Cork at that time."

There was no shortage of talking points across his career, including the infamous strikes which saw his father Jerry on the other side of the divide as chairman of the Cork County Board.

“Our relationship never waned as we were reared to stick to your beliefs and to be fair, one of my father’s greatest traits is always finding a way for things to work.” 

Those were difficult times but Cork did land the big prizes during that era.

“Early doors, I do think the strike was warranted despite so many people having different opinions in this city and county. Player welfare for me was important and that was a huge issue in the first strike."

He's now Sarsfields coach, having served with Kieran Kingston at Cork level.

“I was honoured to be involved with Kieran Kingston and it was something I will always be grateful for. 

Working with lads at the top tier of hurling like Pat Hartnett and Ger Cunningham, I learned a lot to prepare myself for a coaching role.” 

After missing out on the U20 job with Cork, he has thrived with Sars.

"I applied for a few coaching roles but they didn’t go my way. Luckily, the door opened up with Johnny Crowley at Sars as friends for a number of years. I knew it was the right move for me.” 

BOND

He is enjoying the atmosphere in a great period for the club, winning league, county and Munster titles.

“Outside of Johnny, I have to say I am surrounded by some great players and people which makes a huge difference as it’s a two-way street between players and management.

“We don’t have all the answers on a consistent basis so we lean on the players and we are consistently trying to improve.” 

Sars beat Midleton to land a second PSHC crown in three years but don't have anyone on the Cork squad. O’Sullivan isn’t too bothered with this.

“Look, I can tell you we are delighted to have a full complement of players. Yes, there was natural initial disappointment but we now have a squad working hard to get better for the coming championship.

“Ben O’Connor is now preparing for the league final and a Munster championship and we wish him well, but our lads are showing great hunger and I have little doubt we will improve in the coming months.” 

A recent letter to The Echo called for the Cork selectors to pick more West Cork players, hinting it would give the inter-county team more steel.

If you look at West Cork, there are a few teams in the lower grade of intermediate hurling and you have to be exceptional to come from that grade.

“When you look at Seamus Harnedy, he was a terrific hurler to come through from St Ita’s and UCC, same with Tom Kenny for Grenagh and UCC, players who were fully equipped for the top level.

“Presently, we have Hugh O’Connor of Newmarket getting a chance with the Cork seniors and he looks to have the tools to do it.

“To me, if they are players in West Cork with aspirations, they have got to do it with their clubs first and then start at college to see if they have what it takes to play at the top tier.”