From his earliest days swinging a hurley around Russell Park to lining out in blue for Dublin, Cian O’Sullivan’s story is one of dedication, family support and love for the game. As St Brigid’s celebrates our Hurling All-Star, Cian and his mum Margaret share their memories of those early nursery sessions, the balance between sport and school, and the lessons learned along the way.

Pictured below at the tender age of 6 years old with his cousin Lorcán, already donning his Dublin Blue.

Cian O'Sullivan 6 (left)
The Early Days

What is your earliest memory of picking up a hurley?

Cian; 'My earliest hurling memory was probably at being down at the nursery at St. Brigid's Beech Park grounds or in the hall during the winter. We were using the old plastic balls and I used to love turning the hurl the wrong way and cutting the ball into the air'

Did you always know you’d love the game?

'Not really - I suppose at that age you’re trying so many different sports that it was not until I was 16 that I focused solely on hurling. I spent time away from hurling when I was 13 and 14 focusing on rugby with my secondary school. To be honest it wasn’t until my first long spell on the side lines through injury at aged 24 that I realised how much it meant to me, from a social side as much as wanting to play at the top level for club and county.'

Cian Plays Dublin Minor

When did you first realise Cian had a real spark for hurling – was there a moment that stands out from those early days in St Brigid's ?

Mum 'I suppose we knew that we would involve our children in sport. His Dad Traolach is an avid GAA supporter, in fact an avid supporter and follower of most sports. I was a keen basketball player all my life'.

'Cian always displayed great coordination. From as young an age as 18 months, Cian’s favourite game to play with his Dad was returning a sponge ball using a swing ball bat'.

'Once he began hurling in St. Brigid's nursery, Cian was never without a hurley in his hands, hitting the sliotar off every available surface!'

'I am reminded of a comment made by his nursery coach, – who spotted Cian aged 4, on his first ever hurling session in St. Brigid's down in Beech Park. On returning home after the session, the said coach proclaimed that a super young lad had started hurling for St Brigid's and that this young lad would “someday play for Dublin”'.

Cian aged 16

Balancing School Sport and Life

Growing up how did you manage training, school, and everything else that come with being a young athlete?

Cian; 'It was fairly hectic in secondary school. I loved training 3 to 4 times a week, but it meant late nights catching up on studies and not really getting a day off on the weekends as there was always a challenge match or a blitz down the country. I had great support at home, with mam always keeping my lunch boxes full and dad driving me into school for morning gym sessions or collecting me from training late in the evening. It was definitely a group effort'.

What was it like watching him try to balance it all – any stories of forgotten gear, late dinners or endless lifts to matches.

Mum; 'I suppose for me, the best way I could support Cian was, as Cian mentioned, ensuring there was always good food available and ready for him. With all young athletes who were mindful of their protein intake, we cooked mounds of chicken fillets - the grocery bill increasing exponentially!. Keeping the gear bag turned over rapidly and stocked with clean jerseys, shorts and socks kept me busy too. Between the early morning lifts to gym by his Dad and collection to and from training coupled with trips to matches and many a frozen limb on the sidelines, we were kept busy, but always delighted to do what was needed'.

'In the days when before Cian had learned to drive, there were countless collections from school and bringing him straight to DCU for Minor training and waiting at the grounds during the session, to get him home as fast as possible so he could get down to his homework'.


The Turning Point

Was there a game or season where you felt things “clicked” - when you thought, this is where I belong?

Cian; 'I suppose I always knew I had the ability to perform at intercounty, but this is not coming from a place of arrogance. I was always realistic with myself and knew that if I applied myself properly, the ability was there. In previous seasons I would say consistency in my performances was lacking from game to game, and that can sometimes only come with experience. Particularly this year, coming back from my second hamstring surgery I just felt “on it” all the time in training and in matches, and I got the monkey off the back a bit with some good early performances in championship'.

As a parent what was it like seeing him make that leap to county level – pride, nerves, or both?

Mum; 'I guess for us, seeing Cian’s intercounty potential acknowledged, when he was called up to the Dublin Minor Panel at the age of 15 was an immense source of pride for us. We saw him build up his pitch time over his years as a Minor. Being called to the Senior Panel at 18 years of age was also another reason for delight for us. We were bursting with pride when Cian would come home at the start of every season and would show us the Dublin new season’s gear. Cian is a low key kind of guy and we always had to temper our words of praise in front of him.

I think though, as parents, we worried about him when he first began on the Senior panel training and playing alongside players who were “men”, some of whom were almost a decade older than him. We knew that Cian would mature as a hurler as part of the Senior Panel, but we had concerns how he would manage I suppose socially and how he would “hold his own” amongst a mature bunch of players.

We would have had that concern also, when he was 15 years of age and on the Minor panel. A three year age gap at that age can be quite daunting for a young lad who is trying to “fit in” both on the pitch and when socialising with teammates. Cian always kept his head though, and we were always so proud of him both on and off the pitch.

We were of course always anxious on the side lines, willing him on to play his best, but more importantly to enjoy his game. I think I would have been more nervous for Cian in his underage years. I remember especially the Féile year 2012 – that was such a momentous occasion for all involved. The young players showed true grit as they made their way through the stages and eventually winning both the National Football and Hurling titles that year. As parents on the side lines of all games – Féile or otherwise -our hearts were in our mouths, willing Cian and teammates to victory. Many a nail was bitten to the quick while on the side lines over the years.
Aged 15 FÉILE 2012 Lesson from the Journey

What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned through your hurling journey so far?

Cian; 'I suppose none of it is worthwhile if you’re not enjoying it. You can’t give 100% and be honest to your teammates and everyone involved in the set up if you’re not enjoying it. I’ve had years in the past dreading training days and prioritising socialising or other sports, which I enjoyed doing at the time and have no regrets about. I was definitely lacking balance from my late teens to early twenties, resulting in me stepping away from the senior set up for two years. I have been fortunate to get opportunities to go travelling and I think if I hadn’t availed of those chances, I would resent hurling and the commitment that is now required to perform at the top. I am fairly settled now and happy with how things are going outside of my sporting career, and that all contributes to enjoying every training session and match with both my club and county'.

What values do you think sport – And St Brigids – have helped shape him over the years.

Mum; 'As a primary school teacher, I am like a broken record when I speak with parents, reiterating the importance of getting their children involved in sport – and team sports in particular'.

'During his growing years, Cian was involved in swimming, tennis and athletics, but for me, I feel that for young boys team sports are especially beneficial. Apart from the skill, dexterity and physical fitness gained from being a member of football and hurling teams in St Brigid's, Cian has learned the concept of shared responsibility - the importance of showing up at every training session. I remember after the Féile successes of 2012. During his speech during a celebration session, the hurling coach said that the Féile was not won on that particular day – it was won during the wet and cold training sessions in January and February, where each team member turned up and trained hard even in the most adverse conditions. I think that sense of diligence and commitment has stayed with Cian. He is totally committed to the lifestyle demanded of intercounty players'.

'Cian has had two hamstring surgeries in recent times. He showed resilience in firstly accepting that he was off the pitch and out of training for prolonged periods. But I really admired his attention and dedication to the work involved in getting back to full fitness. This resilience and dedication are characteristics I am 100% certain that Cian has learned on the sport field'.

'Cian was so fortunate to have been a member of St. Brigid's where volunteerism is so evident. Cian knows that without the dedication of those who volunteered to train his team over the years, he would not be where he is today'.

'As an adult, Cian now acknowledges the time and commitment by his various coaches and mentors and is so grateful for that'.

'We see the values of dedication, persistence, commitment and discipline Cian has learned through the medium of sport. These are values which he carries through to his work, and indeed to his approach to everyday living and we are so totally grateful to sport for the part it has played in instilling these values in him'.

Looking Ahead

What drives you now? - what are the goals that keep you pushing forward in your hurling career?

Cian; 'I think it only dawns on you as you get older that you have a shelf life and the body can only perform for so long. You want to have some silverware on that shelf when it’s time to hang up the boots. It would mean everything to me to bridge the gap with St. Brigid's, particularly having come so close in 2019. There was great energy in the club this year after a decent league campaign and lads really bought in to the set up. It was tough going after we suffered a number of season ending injuries to key players but we made the knockout stages for the first time in four years, which just showed the depth in the group is improving'.

'I believe the current group of Dublin hurlers are more than capable to bring home silverware, with a good mix of experienced campaigners and exciting youth. The panel has never been as competitive which only raises that standard and expectations of the group internally. I’m rearing to go now for the 2026 club and county campaign and building on last year’s shift in the right direction'.

And what’s your wish for him in the years ahead – on and off the pitch

Mum; 'As Cian mentioned, it would be lovely to have some silverware when he eventually goes to hang up his boots. However, I know that for Cian that the most important thing is that he enjoys all aspects of the sport – the camaraderie, the training, the fitness, the wins, and indeed the whole lifestyle. That is our continuing wish for him – that throughout the rest of his playing career, that no matter the outcome of a game, that he performs at his best and enjoys every moment'.

'Our hope too would be that Cian maintains his connections, contacts and friendships forged throughout his playing career'.

'When his pitch career is ended we hope that Cian will stay connected with hurling – the game he is passionate about'.

'And lastly our hope that Cian will continue to bring the values and characteristics he has developed over the course of his sporting life - dedication, discipline, commitment, drive and determination – to everything he embarks upon during the course of his lifetime'.
Cian Aged 20 pictured with his Sister Caitríona

Our sincere thanks to Cian and Margaret O’Sullivan for giving us a glimpse into the journey behind the All-Star. Their reflections highlight everything that makes St Brigid’s special — community, commitment and pride in our colours.❤️ 🤍

All in St Brigid’s are immensely proud of Cian’s achievements and wish him continued success as he carries the Spirit of St. Brigid's wherever he plays. 💙

Comhghairdeas ó chroí Naomh Bríd 🫶 is tú ár mbrod.