Confident O’Sullivan ready for Ballybunion return

ALTHOUGH he probably knows the great Kerry links better than every other player in the field, Denis O’Sullivan makes his first competitive appearance at Ballybunion since 1991 when he takes part in the AIB Irish Seniors Open which begins this morning.

Eighteen years ago, the Cork man was one of the top amateurs in the country with Close and East of Ireland titles already in the locker. In that 1991 championship, he was third leading qualifier behind Tom Cleary and Colm Carew and defeated Cork club mate Hugh Mackeown (at the 23rd), John Hutchinson (at the 20th), local man and last year’s captain Tom Corridan and Enda McMenamin before going down on the 18th in the semi-final to another Cork Golf Club member, Niall Goulding, who in turn lost in the final to Ulster’s Gary McNeill.

O’Sullivan reacquainted himself with the course by playing pro-ams on each of the last two days. He found it in outstanding condition but quickly recognised the importance of keeping the ball on the fairways.