We were all very sad to hear of the death of Phil O’Sullivan, late of Castle Farm Ringaskiddy.
A member of an old and outstanding Shamrock family, his passing will leave a void and provoke great memories of yesteryears.
Phil played hurling with Shamrocks and was a member of the 1959 South East championship winning team. He gave it his all and there was no half measure with Phil.
He was part of that great Junior Hurling team of the 1950’s and 1960’s that were involved in so many great games. In those years Shamrocks and Ballinhassig dominated Junior Hurling in South East Cork. One game worth recalling was the semi final of the Hilltown Gold Medal tournament played on the feast of St. Peter and Paul, 29th of June 1961. In those days this day was a Church holiday. The game was played on a Thursday night in Carrigaline against Passage who had won the Intermediate County title the previous year. A huge crowd turned up and the were treated to a stirring and hard fought game. Nearing the end Passage were defending a one point lead. Phil Sullivan won a great ball on the fifty yard line and beat the centre back and headed for goal. The Passage full back advanced but Phil spotted Josie Hickey moving inside and put the ball through to him quickly and he hit the back of the net to record a mighty victory. Shamrocks went on the win the final defeating Ballinhassig with Joe O’Driscoll captaining the team.
Phil was also a fine cross country runner and he ran under the colours of The Rising Sun. He represented his County many times and he did all his training in ‘The Grounds’ at Ringaskiddy. Phil’s family were great Shamrock people. His grandfather, father and his brother Seán always provided a field for the Club. He is predeceased by his brothers, Sean, Joe (Canada), Charlie, and Bill and his sisters Eileen and Kitty.
We send our sincere sympathy to his dear wife Catherine and his sister Mary, and his many nephews and nieces, grand nieces and grand nephews and wide circle of friends.
It is a very sad and lonesome time for our Club to see the last of the O’Sullivan lads from Castle Farm going to their reward. The richness of their memories will never fade. Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam dílis.
He will be laid to rest in Barnahaley, where he was born, reared and were he sported and played in those golden days of yore.
