This is what GAA commitment is all about.
Declan O’Sullivan announced, earlier this morning, that his football career was over.
The 31-year-old forward stepped back from inter-county football last year but had hoped to play on for many more with Dromid Pearses – a club he first represented 16 years ago – and South Kerry.
O’Sullivan’s last act as a footballer summed up a career and a man – selfless, courageous and team-first.
Earlier in the game O’Sullivan had set up Bryan Sheehan for South Kerry’s goal. His biggest contribution would come later, however.
Playing for South Kerry, against Killarney Legion, in the Kerry Senior Football Club Championship replay, O’Sullivan upped his game after Bryan Sheehan had been shown the black card.
By that stage, O’Sullivan had already done serious damage to his knee. Something had definitely popped but there was no way he was going off.
With Sheehan missing for extra time, the three-time All Star demanded more ball upon himself and drove his teammates on.
In the 79th minute, a Legion attack broke down and South Kerry countered.
As play swept up the pitch, there was O’Sullivan, again, screaming for the ball.
It came his way and he held his own pass long enough to give Walsh ample space. Walsh fisted the ball over the bar and that was that – 1-13 to 1-12.
O’Sullivan spent Sunday night in hospital. Total loss of knee cartilage, he was informed.
It was over.
But, as footballing careers go, it was some way to go.
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