St Colums GAA Club

When news filtered through September last year 2005, that Matt and Margaret 0′Sullivan had been killed while on holidays, grief and sadness cast a dark cloud not only over the Kealkil, Caheragh and Bantry areas but throughout the length and breath of West Cork and beyond. During times of tragedy, when people came together, its then that memories come flooding back.

My first contact with Matt was in 1970 at the foundation of St. Colums. It was a school game between Inchaclough N.S. and Dromclough N.S. in hurling. I cannot remember much about the game, except that it was at this time Fr. McCarthy was getting together his players for the future Colm Ogs.

The first ever Colm Og game was an U14 hurling match against Caheragh, which was played in Willie Hourihane’s field in 1970. Matt played full back on that team, a position he was to make his own for many years to come. Colums won that game and went on to win the competition, not only that year but also the following year when Matt captained the team.

In 1972 as a 15 year old, he won the first of his 3 U21 Football medals, starring at corner back against Randal Ogs. In the other corner was Michael 0′Sullivan, also 15 years, who was probably Matt’s best friend down the years. This was a golden era in Colm Og history with 2 U16 Football Championships, 2 U16 Hurling Championships, 3 minor Hurling Championships, 2 more U21 Football Championships and 2 U21 Hurling Championships. Matt played in all these successes. Junior success was slow to follow. This co-incided with Matt meeting a girl from Caheragh named Margaret Hegarty. Margaret’s family was very much involved with the Tadhg McCartaigh club, with her brother Nick being a very important figure, on the playing field and back room activities. Soon Margaret became a regular supporter of Colums. As herself and Matt fell very much in love. Matt decided he needed to take time off from playing, to build his house and get married, so he gave up for a few years.

It was in 1982 that Colums made the break through in Junior Hurling, and a very interested supporter that day was one Matt 0′Sullivan. It was the one and only time that he missed out on a glory day for Colums. He was back the next year in the Junior A Grade. More success followed. Centenary Hurling in 1984, Junior A hurling league 1985, Matt starred in the 1986 Junior A Hurling final, when Colums lost to Barryroe. One thing for sure, if Colums had 15 Matt 0′Sullivan’s the result would have been different. The Junior B Football was won in 1985 under the stewardship of Stephen Coughlan with Matt again a leading light.

Margaret used to say that the one regret Matt had, was that he missed out in 1982 in not winning the Junior B Hurling medal. Well in his final year playing, 1994 he achieved his goal. Playing at full forward on the team that beat Oliver Plunketts, he showed great leadership to an up and coming bunch of young players, who no doubt took great pride in having played on the same team as a Colums legend.

Matt was a leader on and off the field. He was also (by today’s standards) the first boy racer. As he was the first ever student to drive his car (Morris minor) up the avenue of Bantry secondary school, to the consternation of the then principle Fr. Leader.

After he retired from playing Matt took up the role as coach and selector and again success followed, with victory in 2001 in the County Junior Hurling Millennium cup.

Matt and Margaret took great pride in supporting their local clubs, be it Colums, Caheragh or Bantry Blues who their son Kieran plays with. The appropriate flag could be seen flying on match day from the Bed and Breakfast sign outside their residence at Park View, Newtown, Bantry. To Kieran, Claire and Susan we can only console you with the words that your parents were greatly loved, respected and admired by everyone that had the pleasure to know them, and we know that they are very proud of the three of you. The presentation of the cup today is a very fitting honour in the memory of Matt and Margaret 0′Sullivan. R.I.P.