Article on the O'Sullivan Cup
written by Sean Kelly 14/02/06
One of the reasons the GAA is so strong in East Kerry is that the East Kerry Board (E.K.B.) has always encouraged good competition and every successive board has built on what it inherited. Not surprisingly for a board whose first primary officers were Dick Fitzgerald & Paul Russell – marquee names, great men.
The O’Donoghue Cup became the competition to win, even for a long period being more prestigious than the County Championship. But not every club could win it. The smaller rural clubs were at a distinct numerical disadvantage. Junior competition was important to them. But it is one thing to have a competition it’s another to make it prestigious.
The untimely death of Firies great Owen O’Sullivan cast a shadow far and wide. Owen was of good footballing stock, generous people. It was a wonderful gesture, but in hindsight not surprising when the E.K.B. was offered a beautiful cup to perpetuate his memory. The year was ’75, it provided the catalyst to lift the Junior Championship. I remember it well, that was the year I returned from Dublin to teach in St. Brendan’s – and had the pleasure subsequently of teaching the O’Sullivan boys of Firies. They inherited Owens love for homeland and heritage, much thanks to Owen and his good wife.
Straight away, the O’Sullivan Cup brought prestige to the junior competition. It became the target for the year. It grew into a great competition as the board ‘nursed’ it along by drafting rules of eligibility to ensure a “fair crack of the whip” for all clubs. It became the main target for the smaller clubs but equally important, it breathed new life into the ambitions and prestige of the second team in the stronger clubs. Thus, I remember playing great games for Kilcummin against teams like Spa ‘B’ and Crokes ‘B’. But ‘B’ was often a misnomer as many of the players were far from ‘B’. For instance if a great player was injured or suspended when his club was playing ‘A’ Championship he was then eligible for ‘B’. Not surprising people wondered did some managers who saw little prospect of winning the O’Donoghue Cup deliberately hold back some big names to bolster their chances in the O’Sullivan Cup!! This often led to debate and motions to the following convention. Thus the rules of eligibility change all the time as the O’Sullivan cup grows in prestige.
I was in Australia this year when I rang home to be told that Fossa were beating Legion by a point with time-up and after five or six minutes of injury time, Legion drew level and won in extra-time. “Legion B” I ventured – ‘No’ I was informed “Legion A” – the team that deservedly won the County Intermediate Championship. How come! As I said motions to convention, perpetual change, cause of debate! Great victories, hard luck – all part of the O’Sullivan Cup.
I am fortunate to have played in many O’Sullivan Cup games and have 2 medals myself, from 1977 and 1983. They were great occasions, Kilcummin knew how to win and we knew how to celebrate, we knew how to loose too – but we don’t remember that!! Owen O’ Sullivan was from Firies but he also played for Kilcummin in the good old days. To win the O’Sullivan cup was always great for us. To loose was devastating but we won our share. Hopefully all clubs will do the same. As for the rules of eligibility – watch them closely!*
(*Rules of eligibility were changed recently after this article was written, with sweeping changes to team and player eligibility in all East Kerry Board Competitions, and while Sean Kelly was at the end of his tenure as President of the G.A.A., he proved he still had not forgotton his East Kerry roots.)