THERE WERE IMPRESSIVE performances all over the pitch for Ulster on Friday night against Scarlets and chief among them was 23-year-old loosehead prop Eric O’Sullivan.
Outside centre Will Addison was named man of the match but O’Sullivan could easily have been awarded that honour as he played all 80 minutes for Dan McFarland’s side.
He had gone the distance for Trinity and Banbridge in the All-Ireland League before, although completing the full game as a prop in professional rugby is on a different level.
“I was looking up at the clock trying to count it down!” said O’Sullivan with a smile post-match at Parc y Scarlets
“But we did well to dig in towards the end when the Scarlets came at us.”
Beyond just completing the game, O’Sullivan was vital in Ulster’s bonus-point win, helping to earn scrum and maul penalties, hammering into tackles, and showing his mobility and power in the carry.
The Dublin native certainly didn’t look like a man making his first Heineken Champions Cup start, but then this season has been all about O’Sullivan making big steps with impressive composure.
Still in the Ulster academy, O’Sullivan hadn’t played a game of professional rugby before this campaign began. Injuries to Andy Warwick and Kyle McCall, as well as the release of Schalk van der Merwe, have meant opportunities for O’Sullivan, however.
The former Templeogue College man might be something of a late bloomer in the pro game, but is clearly making up for any lost time now and his development has been a major positive for Ulster this season.
O’Sullivan played for Leinster through the underage levels but didn’t secure an academy spot in his native province, shining for Trinity under Tony Smeeth instead and earning a call from Ulster to play for their A team two seasons ago.
His form secured O’Sullivan an academy deal and he impressed with Banbridge in the AIL in 2017/18, as well as playing more A rugby and readying himself for this season’s rapid progress.
“It’s about trying to learn so much more, getting in on analysis, working on my running lines, maul D, scrum set-ups, everything like that,” says O’Sullivan of the challenge of professional rugby, his enthusiasm palpable.
“It’s just one step at a time for me.”
Far from being daunted by his first European start on Friday night in Llanelli, O’Sullivan was a busy man on the day of the game.
Still studying outside of rugby, the prop had to complete an assignment on public sector accounting on Friday morning.
“Regardless of what level I’ve played at, I try to keep the same process and treat it like another game,” said O’Sullivan of his maiden Heineken Cup start.
“I had a uni assignment to hand in, so I spent some of my morning doing that. It was good because I didn’t spend hours focusing on the game getting too built up or focusing on it.
“Then for three or four hours, it was head down and focus on the game. You just try to treat it like any other game.”
O’Sullivan was part of a superb performance from Ulster’s pack at Parc y Scarlets and he appreciates the experience of those around him, including captain Rory Best.
“It’s incredible, he’s always in your ear before every scrum with little tips, little nuggets, just to keep you focused and keep your head in the game.
“Coming up against someone like Samson Lee, it definitely helps having Rory beside you against an experienced operator.”
The sight of O’Sullivan, Best and Marty Moore winning scrum penalties and contributing to some powerful attacking mauling – O’Sullivan says Ulster have work to do on their maul defence – was heartening for the province’s supporters.
Scrum coach Aaron Dundon and head coach McFarland will continue to push the pack for more, but the emergence of O’Sullivan has been a big positive.
“We’re working hard with Aaron and Dan, just trying to progress,” said O’Sullivan. “We knew our roles but it was just about getting more aggressive in there and making sure we were drilling boys when we got the chance.
“That’s been big for us, being more aggressive with teams and not willing to take a backwards step. We’re fighting for every inch.”
Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Andy Dunne preview a big weekend of Heineken Cup action and dissect the week’s main talking points.
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The Roy Keane.
Someone who hasn’t grasped the idea that 5 aside football is normally just for a bit of craic with mates midweek and there are no medals handed out at the end but plays and shouts like it’s the champions league final and is still fuming and talking about it 3 days later.
The Gaelic Footballer.
Doesn’t get the idea of a one-two, thinks short passing is a waste of time and likes belting the ball as hard as he can up the other end of the pitch. Never lets you out of the corner; in fact runs full belt at you and tries to kill you. Loves to drop the shoulder, especially when challenging for the ball near the side wall. Short shorts, big arse, hugely enthusiastic, often whoops, but never gets asked back again.
Classic
Also will never pass the ball backwards.
The better brother of a guy who made it professionaly. The only reason this guy didn’t was because of the drink. ‘Could have played with Celtic’. Slaughters you for 10 minutes then has a coronary for 50 minutes.
The Pro….
Struts onto the turf with the newest gear out, under armour and hairband, first touch of a donkey but counts every goal scored week in week out (I’ve 30 goals in astro this season) and to top it off asks around after the game does anybody know of a good physio cuz he’s feeling a bit tight in the groin….
Eh, what’s up with the dates on people’s comments – they’re all over the shop!?
The sub…
Usually one of the lads sons who come along to get him outta the house so the mother can catch up on Corrie. He’s probably around 12-14 years old. He’ll go in goals so “no hard shots lads, sure he’s only a chap!’ Which is a distinct advantage. He’ll turn out to be amazing and no matter how hard you hit it, he’ll dive full length, collecting the ball in mid flight, a few somersaults and rolls and he’s off up the pitch, nutmegging and steps overs to bate tha band before sticking it in the top corner. As he walks back up the pitch, he’s given a little reminder of what age group of lads he’s actually playing with and someone decides to ‘soften his cough’ by ‘puttin a pup in him’ which ultimately results in a screaming kid rolling around all ‘ronaldo-esque’ with a shoving match between his dad and the offending individual. But all is settled with a few pints in the local with the young lad sippin a lemonade and chompin on a packet o’ Tatyo texting his mates with indecipherable gobbledegook about the dinosaurs he’s destroyed earlier….!
The john terry… He’s around shagging your missus while your not at home
The peter bonetti…..The keeper who is like a cat in 5 a side goals… But gets caught out on the big pitch!
The Heart – possesses all the drive, will and spirit a manager could ever ask of a player. Shows up every week and runs himself into the ground but ultimately has two left shins
Also known as the Zinedine Kilbane. Which would make it 2 right shins.
The Deer
Happy out chasing fellas and the ball. Gets caught in the headlights upon receiving said ball
The Hub
This is the guy who believes that the only good pass is a pass to him – generally loud and persistent.
The had trials ……
The muppet who was been chased by utd and Liverpool as a kid but wanted to do his leaving first! Turns out to be crap and then blames pitch,ball,lighting,his team,his footwear,drink from last night,injury……..
He wouldve made it if it wasnt for the drink…….
Forgot the dreaded “toy boy”. Shows up in the full Real Madrid kit with sparkling new green Astro boots wearing a head bank and gold cross around his neck. Cries off injured after 5 mins as everyone realises he’s awful.
For whatever reason somebody has pulled out due to “work”, always the same person, and the only replacement is another players son or nephew. The next 60 minutes involve getting nutmegged repeatedly and chasing his shadow.
The Rainman – really sweaty guy, with wet marks on chest, armpits, groin after 20secs of play. Spray of water in his wake and if you make any contact with, you may actually drown. Drinks out of everyone’s bottles and is a consistent back washer!! In a nutshell, wet!!
Nothing else happened except my goal… You’ve hammered him 17 3 but he’s scored a good goal… Maybe the best goal of the game but he’s otherwise been abysmal…. He ruffles your keepers head as you leave and tells him… Ha you won’t forget that one in a hurry…. You meet him in a boozer five nights later and he makes you lose the will to live jabbering on about it
“he takes a first touch that’s heavier than a black hole” – you my friend need to get a script writing role for Jim Beglin! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKw3EO3xpQc (1.22, in the best video ever produced by RTE)
The sweaty guy. Starts pumpin after 5 mins. Or the football cogs guy. Catches ure ankle with a stud and just says ‘oh sorry, you alrite ?’ As he jogs on.
The Heather Mills. Can only pass/shoot with one foot which makes him as easy to read, can also be called the Roald Dahl.