CASTLETOWNBERE GAA has paid tribute to one its greatest sons, Donal ‘Butcher’ O’Sullivan, who passed away on Tuesday.

The legendary Beara man was held in very high regard in his home peninsula, and it’s easier to understand why – O’Sullivan was manager of the Beara team that won the 1997 Cork senior football championship. He also led the Beara minors and the division’s U21s to county titles, cementing his legacy.

‘His great lifelong love for Gaelic football began while playing at all levels for the 'Town GAA club,’ Castletownbere GAA said.

‘When he retired from playing, Donal dedicated himself to helping the club. It was during his tenure as chairman that a major redevelopment of the Droum pitch was undertaken in 1990. In  that same busy season he also managed the intermediate football team to the county final.

‘It was in his dedicated and passionate management of teams that Donal excelled. He possessed a clear vision of how his teams should play, had great empathy with the players and most of all was decisive on the sideline. 

‘He went on to manage the Beara team that won their last county football championship on that historic occasion in 1997. Indeed he followed this up with the Beara minors winning the county title in 2003 and the under 21s annexing the county title in 2006, an unprecedented achievement in management on the Beara peninsula.’

Castletownbere continued: ‘He then progressed to managing the Cork minor footballers in 2014 and 2015. 

‘He leaves a notable and worthy legacy of success in Cork GAA and will be sincerely missed by all who knew him.

‘The 'Town club offers our sincerest sympathy to his wife Aishling and his two children Cormac and Niamh and the extended O’Sullivan family on their great loss.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.’