Na Piarsaigh ‘need to be doing more’

When Colin O’Sullivan took over the position of chairperson of Na Piarsaigh hurling and football club, he knew they were serious challenges to be met.

Presently, the club is functioning in a positive direction in many areas but the work that has to be done with so many teams in the club is very demanding.

The O’Sullivan family are enriched in the history of the club and for Colin the determination to see the club back playing in the top tier of Cork hurling is still very much in his bucket list.

Since Na Piarsaigh were relegated in 2022, they have reached the quarter finals of the Senior A championship on two occasions with elimination coming on the back of penalty shoot- outs.

The latest elimination came this season when they lost out to Carrigtwohill and O’Sullivan believes the format needs to be changed in this grade.

“I do not want to sound a bad loser as I am certainly not and well done to Carrigtwohill who defeated us on the night but what was the hurry for this game to be finished as the clubs in the final had to wait a month for the final to be played.

“The work that goes on behind the scenes in all clubs is off the charts and for a championship game to be decided on penalties does not fit with the ethos and history of the GAA,” said Colin.

After reflecting the near miss this season O’Sullivan had some serious questions to ask.

“To be honest I have to ask myself are we doing enough because as a club there is tremendous work going on from underage academy right to the top tier.

“There is little doubt in my mind that we have a group of players capable of winning this championship, but my own personal opinion is we are not doing enough to win it.

“This is not been critical of the players it is just reality that we need to be doing more than what we are doing as I feel that’s the only way we will eventually get back playing Premier Senior hurling,” added O’Sullivan.

Next season Na Piarsaigh will be blooding a few new players from their Minor set up and Colin believes they will make a difference.

“We have some good talent coming through various grades but collectively as a group the present mindset must change as we cannot talk about our hard luck in losing to penalties, because the reality we need to be doing more.” 

Looking at the year outside of their Senior A outfit was very pleasing according to O’Sullivan.

“The Junior A hurlers lost the city final for the second year running but our Minor team got to Premier county semi- final in a very tough competitive grade.

“Thankfully, I can see what’s coming through regarding the talent that’s in our younger players, but we must set the standard at Senior A level and bring some silverware into the club.” 

On the other side of the coin, O’Sullivan believes some of the hurling displayed this season was possibly the best he has witnessed in years.

“The day we beat Fermoy after a bad start we scored 32 points and could have registered over 40 as in my book we were at another level.

“We carried that form into the Killeagh game and won but the Carrigtwohill game should have never went to penalties as we failed to close out the game on a few occasions and that was down to strength in depth that we hadn’t the required talent to spring from the bench.” 

The contribution of the clubs sponsor Zartas is something that is crucial going forward according to Colin.

“There is so many good things happening in our club and many thanks must go to our sponsor Zartas who appreciate what they witness going on.

“I could not commend all our volunteers enough for the work they do that basically keeps the show going but like many other clubs we haven’t enough of them.” 

Near neighbours Glen Rovers were recently crowned Senior championship winners and O’Sullivan commended their success.

“We might be rivals but you got to give it to the Glen in the manner they battled back and that took sheer effort and pride in the jersey that will be needed in our club to taste success again.” 

On a final note, O’Sullivan paid tribute to his fellow officers and all management teams within the club.

“We also have a Ladies camogie section who are getting great numbers and from the bottom of heart many thanks to all our members who continue to give voluntary hours for our cause.”