Cathal O'Sullivan: I would love to play for a club like Celtic

But for now, O’Sullivan is focussing on recovering from a knock which is likely to rule him out until the meeting with Drogheda United at Turner’s Cross on March 28.

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025 - 06:42

Andrew Horgan

Wednesday will mark two significant landmarks in the personal life and playing career of Cathal O’Sullivan.

Firstly, and most importantly, is the personal life and on Wednesday the talented Cork City attacker will turn 18-years old, although he won’t get the opportunity to celebrate the occasion in a typical manner.

“No, I suppose, well, we’re training so I’ll have to go out there and we have a game Friday so I can’t really do much, no. I’ve no plans at the moment anyway,” he laughs.

Secondly is the playing career and from Wednesday the playmaker will technically be allowed to switch to a club in the United Kingdom in the next transfer window as the rules brought about by Brexit which initially prevented him from making the move across the Irish sea until he was 18 no longer applying.

But on the eve-eve of his birthday, O’Sullivan was in the bowels of Páirc Uí Chaoimh to help launch the inaugural ‘Cork Super Cup’ which will see his Cork City side take on Celtic on the banks of the Lee on Tuesday July 8th.

Cork City-Celtic clash could be worth €200k to Cork GAA

The hope amongst City fans is that the talented youngster will still be at the club by the time that game comes around, but how much longer he remains on Leeside beyond that date remains to be seen with a number of clubs already interested in securing his services.

But for now, O’Sullivan is focussing on recovering from a knock which is likely to rule him out until the meeting with Drogheda United at Turner’s Cross on March 28 - the club and the player feared it could have been much worse – although he admits the long-term aim is to play for a club like Celtic in the future.

“Yeah, it’s definitely an ambition because obviously the link with Ireland and Celtic like. It’s a huge club, massive club so yeah, I would love to go over and play for a club like Celtic,” he enthused.

“I love watching their games and how impressive their Champions League run was this year, and my dad is the same.

“My dad supports Celtic if they’re on the TV. There’s a connection between Ireland and Celtic or Cork and Celtic, there’s a huge amount of fans over here.

“You wouldn’t really think before that Celtic and Cork City would be on at Páirc Uí Chaoimh - a GAA stadium – but recently there has been a few soccer games on here, the ladies Irish team have been on, so it’s going to be a great experience for both teams.”

Celtic FC player Adam Idah returned to his old school, Douglas Community School. Pic: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO

If O’Sullivan needs any inspiration, all he has to do was look to the man sitting to his right in the press conference room at the Páirc.

Adam Idah was in attendance to give the Celtic point of view on the upcoming friendly this summer at a time when his side are on the brink of another Scottish Premier League title, and maybe even another treble.

He also had some words of advice for his fellow Cork native.

“The best advice I can give is to never give up, and to keep working hard,” said the former College Corinthians forward, who famously netted Celtic’s winner in last year’s Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

“I know what it’s like; football can be really cruel and tough at times. I was saying it there with his injury, I had the same injury, and you feel like it’s never ending.

“Football is a strange sport; it goes around in circles. I’ve had it so many times when I was at Norwich, and I ended up getting a move to Celtic which I never thought I would.

“It’s just sticking with it, believe in yourself and be confident.”

As for the friendly, the 24-year-old is finally looking forward to getting the chance to showcase what he can do with a ball at his feet at the home of Cork GAA.

“I done city sports, I won here a couple of times so I have got nice memories here, but I haven’t played any other sport here so to have the chance to do it will be amazing,” he continued.

“I didn’t actually think I would ever play in Cork again. I think the last time I played there was when I was 15 or 16 down the Cross so to come back again will be amazing and hopefully, I can get one or two (goals).

“I don’t think you want that do you?” says Idah, turning to O’Sullivan who quickly replied; “No!”

Season ticket holders with SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Celtic FC and Cork City FC will be able to purchase tickets from Wednesday, March 5 with tickets on general sale via Ticketmaster and www.corksupercup.com on Friday, March 7.