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2nd October 2025
09:09am BST
St Pat's Mason Melia and Shamrock Rovers' Michael Noonan have been touted as Ireland's two best teenage talents.
But a new man has now entered the fray, in the form of Cork City's Cathal O'Sullivan.
The 18-year-old has been a bright spark in a dreadful season for his club, which sees them lie in last place by over ten points in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
His seven goal season in last year's First Division, as well as an impressive start to 2025, saw him attract the interest of Premier League clubs, with Crystal Palace particularly keen on the Ireland U21s player.
The Eagles are the most in-form club in Europe, and O'Sullivan even met with the FA Cup holders back in May.
However, a devastating cruciate injury has no doubt hampered hopes of an imminent move to England, with the winger out until next season.
Speaking with SportsJOE, he said: "Obviously there was interest back when I was fit, there was a lot of interest.
"But I don't really take notice of it to be honest, I obviously leave my agent to deal with all of that stuff.
"Like I said, I'm a Cork City player, and that's the only way I think of it when I'm playing, and I just give 100% to Cork City."
The unfortunate injury happened during Cork's loss to Sligo in late July, with none other than Cork's most famous son, Roy Keane, in attendance.
On an episode of Sky Sports' The Overlap, the Man United and Ireland legend recounted his experience involving O'Sullivan's injury which left him red in the face.
Keane explained: "A young lad got injured, he went down after 20 minutes. It looked strange.
"At half time, I went in for a cup of tea. These lads I know from Cork City, they were like, “I think it’s his cruciate”.
“And I went, hold on a second lads, the two of you - I kind of know them - I went, ‘you don’t know what you’re talking about! You’ve given him a cruciate! Have you treated him? And they were like ‘Oh, no, no’, [I asked them] Are you qualified? ‘Oh, no, no’
"A couple of days later, he’s done his cruciate!
"I have to go back to Cork City, these two lads, I have to avoid them!"
When asked about Keane's story, O'Sullivan replied: "He got a good laugh off it alright, didn't he?"
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