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Peter O'Sullivan (born 1943) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a goalkeeper for the Tipperary senior team.

O'Sullivan joined the team as sub goalkeeper during the 1963 championship, however, he didn't take over as first-choice goalkeeper until the end of the decade. He retained that position until his retirement after the 1972 championship. During that time he won one All-Ireland medal and one Munster medal.

At club level O'Sullivan enjoyed a lengthy career with Cashel King Cormac's.

Playing career

Club

O'Sullivan played his club hurling with his local Cashel club.

Inter-county

O'Sullivan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Tipperary minor hurling team in the early 1960s. He won a Munster title in this grade in 1961, following a 7-11 to 1-6 trouncing of fierce rivals Cork. Tipp subsequently lined out against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland minor decider. A high-scoring game developed over the hour, however, O'Sullivan let in three goals and Kilkenny emerged victorious by 3-13 to 0-15.

O'Sullivan later joined the county under-21 team. Here he won a Munster title in the inaugural year of the competition in 1964, following an 8-9 to 3-1 thrashing of Waterford. An All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, with Wexford providing the opposition. That game also turned into a rout, as Tipp won easily by 8-9 to 3-1. The victory gave O'Sullivan's a coveted All-Ireland under-21 winners' medal.

O'Sullivan subsequently joined the Tipperary senior inter-county team, making his debut as a substitute in the Munster final defeat by Cork in 1970. He became the first-choice goalkeeper on the team in 1971 and it proved to be a successful year. That year he started in his first full Munster final against Limerick. An exciting game developed, however, at the full-time whistle Tipp were the 4-16 to 3-18 winners. Kilkenny provided the opposition against Tipperary in the subsequent All-Ireland final, the first to be broadcast in colour by Telfis Éireann. In an exciting and high-scoring game Tipp relied on two freak goals to capture a 5-17 to 5-14 victory. The game itself is still remembered for the image of Babs Keating discarding his worn-out boots and playing the last few minutes of the match in his bare feet. The victory gave O'Sullivan a coveted senior All-Ireland winners' medal in the senior grade.

Tipperary quickley surrendered their Munster and All-Ireland titles in 1972, and O'Sullivan was replaced as goalkeeper in 1973.

Inter-provincial

O'Sullivan also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling championship. He played in the Railway Cup final of 1972, however, Leinster won the title by 3-12 to 1-10.

References

1. "County profile: Tipperary". Hogan Stand website. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
2. "Munster Senior Hurling". Munster GAA website. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
3. Des, Donegan (2005). The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games. DBA Publications. p. 39.
4. The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games p. 29
5. The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games p. 48
6. The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games p. 42
7. The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games p. 26
8. Corry, Eoghan (2005). The GAA Book of Lists. Hodder Headline Ireland. p. 357.
9. The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games p. 82

Teams

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• 1943 births
• Living people
• Tipperary GAA hurlers
• Cashel King Cormac's hurlers
• Munster hurlers
• Hurling goalkeepers
• Winners of one All-Ireland medal (hurling)
• Sportspeople from County Tipperary