Distinguished Service Soccer award for Cork's Tony O’Sullivan is well deserved

Player, referee, kit-man, physio, trainer,mansger — it was a road well travelled by Tony O’Sullivan during a remarkable football journey.

Glasheen won the FAI Minor Cup in 1954 and 1957, and Tony's team, the famous “Class of '66”, had to emulate them if they were to challenge for the title of Greatest Ever in the Cork Soccer Youths Hall of Fame.

From Under-13s through to Youths, that particular squad had a different goalkeeper in each season as they swept all before them. 

Tony was the teenager brought in to solve the goalkeeping problem in 1966, and he quickly instilled an air of confidence in those playing in front of him.

A safe pair of hands between the posts was all they could have asked for — and they got much more. 

The team went on to make a clean sweep of every available trophy, culminating in a spellbinding display at Flower Lodge in the FAI Youth Cup final, when they trounced Shelbourne 4-1.

Most of the team were snapped up by League of Ireland clubs, and Tony was among them, signing for Cork Celtic in 1967. 

He made six appearances during his time with Celtic, where he was mainly understudy to Tommy Taylor. 

He was also reserve goalkeeper for the 1969 FAI Cup final, when Celtic were beaten by Shamrock Rovers after a replay.

In search of regular action, Tony joined MSL newcomers Shearsville in the early 1970s, a side largely composed of former Glasheen players who had been surplus to requirements. 

Tony was selected on the MSL team which defeated the Swansea Senior League in Landore in 1970.

He was subsequently tempted to try his hand at refereeing and, after making an early impression, rapidly climbed the ladder, progressing to League of Ireland level via the AUL and MSL.

The high point of his refereeing career came when he was selected, alongside Eddie McGeough, as assistant referee to Kevin O'Sullivan for the 1980 FAI Cup final between Waterford and St Patrick's Athletic.

Rather unusually, both The Examiner and the Irish Independent commended the officials for a faultless performance which contributed to an entertaining game.

When Kevin O'Sullivan blew the final whistle at the end of an outstanding performance, he decided this was his big day and he was going to savour it.

So he did something no referee before or since has ever done.

He led his two linesmen on a lap of honour around the pitch, celebrating as if he had just scored the winning goal himself. The spectators reacted warmly and gave the officials a well-deserved ovation.

Tony didn't hang around too long and retired from refereeing soon afterwards.

After securing employment with Umbro and subsequently Adidas, he became involved with the FAI and the Irish international team during the period from Euro '88 to the 1994 World Cup, after Adidas secured the playing-gear contract.

Finally, he joined Cork City, initially as kit-man before helping out as physio and trainer — a position he held when City won the League Championship for the first time in 1993.

In a brief flirtation with football management in 1996-97, Tony was a resounding success. 

He guided unfancied Everton to the FAI Intermediate Cup final, where they lost by a single goal to Glenmore Celtic.

In the FAI Senior Cup, Everton were gallant in defeat, losing just 2-0 to eventual trophy winners Shelbourne at Tolka Park. After the game, Shelbourne manager Damian Richardson, Sully’s former boss at Cork City, acclaimed how well prepared Everton had been.

Now domiciled in Dundalk, any excuse will do for Tony to make a return trip to his beloved city.

Tonight, he has been invited south once more — this time to receive a long-overdue Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contribution to Cork soccer.