Adrian O'Sullivan: 50 not out for Ireland as Ballincollig dynamo prepares to defend crown

Adrian O’Sullivan has had an incredible last 12 months on the hardwood after a very successful season by winning the Men’s Super League and Cup double with his hometown club Ballincollig and then reaching a special milestone representing the Irish men’s team for the 50th time.

To have so much success in a single season is a fantastic achievement for any sports person. 

However, O’Sullivan is a very dedicated and motivated individual and all his hard work over the years has certainly paid off.

Off the court, he was busy too as he bought a house and got engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Irish women’s captain Edel Thornton.

“I know how hard it is to win trophies in this League and for us to win the Cup, regular season and the League playoffs, that’s something that doesn’t come around very often,” Adrian said.

"The support we received from the people of Ballincollig and our team being the talk for the right reasons throughout the winter around the Country that’s something special and it's something I will never take for granted.

We will remember last season for a very long time.

"My highlights of the season, firstly, have to be the cup final, especially as we scored 60 points from the three-point line, contributing to a total of 104 points. I just thought our level of play that night was incredible and not many teams in my time playing in the league would have came completed with us. It was particularly enjoyable because we had such a poor showing in the semi-final, so to put it right in the final.

"Another quick highlight for me was the offensive late fourth quarter display in our league semi-final against a really good Eanna team, our ball movement was the best it had been all year and it was so enjoyable to play."

Flying high

O’Sullivan received his 50th international cap when he lined out in the last Euro-Cup window against Azerbaijan last July in a game they won 76-70 at the Baku Sports Palace in Prospekti, Baki, Azerbaijan with a very young team. 

One of the peaks of his international career was sharing the court with his brother Ciaran to win the FIBA Small Countries in 2021 and his brother was on the line as assistant coach when he reached the milestone of winning his 50th cap last July.

"My journey with the Irish men’s team and to get my 50th cap means everything, as I don’t think there is a greater privilege than to represent your Country at any level or age group and I take massive pride with so many memories I will cherish forever.

"Some of my favourite memories would be my first cap because I don’t think anybody should forget that, however, it was special as my brother Ciaran was on the court at the same time when we won the FIBA Small Countries in Dublin that was an unbelievable week in 2021. 

"Our first away win in November that year in Cyprus having been in the Small Counties since our return to International play in 2016 comes to mind a lot and more recently the win in Azerbaijan with a lot of younger boys who got their first camp that week and it happened to be my 50th!

"My thoughts are nothing but positive when it comes to the new staff for our men’s program, the style of play is great and it’s going to bring us up the levels in years to come.

"The younger boys are a group to watch out for, especially as our U20s have just finished fifth in their European Championship , so the future is bright and our current group of professionals across Europe are only getting better.

"Representing my country is something I would do week in week out if given the opportunity to be perfectly honest, as I love our training camps.

"I am lucky with my work that I can take the time off, because some other lads are not in the same situation."

Ready for action

O'Sullivan is not taking anything for granted on the International and this coming season with his club. The Irish team are not in action for 12 months and he thinks the Super League will be very competitive again this coming season.

"The Irish team don’t play for another 12 months now in terms of competition, so I will see where things are at and have some conversations with the staff when it comes around.

"In terms of the club, everyone is back for preseason and the plan is to get the engine going again."