
Seani Maguire tips Cork City teen Cathal O'Sullivan to be Ireland's next big star
SEANI MAGUIRE has hailed Premier League-linked Cathal O'Sullivan as 'the best teenager in the country'.
2
Sean Maguire has hailed young Cork City teammate Cathal O'Sullivan as the next big thing
2
Nottingham Forest coach Andy Reid has been on a scouting trip to Turner's Cross in recent weeks to monitor Cathal O'Sullivan of Cork City
O'Sullivan, 18, has since linked up with the Ireland U21 camp after receiving his first call-up for friendlies against Croatia and Qatar.
And Maguire confidently predicted that senior caps will follow, adding that any transfer fee City receive this summer 'should be worth 10 times more'.
The 11-cap Ireland striker insisted: 'Young Cathal will make his own decision. He can be whatever he wants.
'He's one of the best young fellas I've played with, and that includes in England. Not just because of his talent, it's just his attitude towards everything.
read more on football
'That's what teams in England will look for first, because you can just see it clear as day how good he is on the ball. He's a joy to play with.
"When he eventually goes to England, I'll be gutted not to play with him again, because of how good he is.
'But I'll be keeping tabs on his career, because he'll definitely play for Ireland. He's that good. And he'll definitely go and play at the highest level in football in England.
'I genuinely think he's special, and he's the best teenag.er in the country.
Most read in Football
'Whatever the club gets from him, he probably should be worth 10 times more. I can't speak more highly of him as a lad, because I see what he's like off the pitch.'
O'Sullivan is a diminutive and technically gifted winger, but Maguire also highlighted his physicality.
Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict
The Luton-born player said: 'He's so strong. Even in training, there could be two or three lads hanging off him, and he just stands up.
You see him in games there, he's getting kicked, he's getting lashes in the back, and he just keeps going and going and going.
'He's a fit lad, he looks after himself, and he'll go on to have an unbelievable career, I've no doubts about that.
'His first touch is unbelievable, and it's not just his taking players on 1v1. He does the basics of football really well. He plays like a fella that's probably 10 years older than his age.
'I'd be interested to see where he goes next, but I think the world is his oyster because he's really that good.'
Maguire jetted off to Portugal with his family after scoring his third goal of the season in City's 1-1 draw with Shelbourne on Friday evening.
And Maguire hopes to get back to full fitness during the break, after admitting to being only 70% fit at the moment.
He explained: 'You can look at the mid-season break two different ways.
'You can go and just have a break totally away from football, but the message was clear from the manager that we'll be back in the Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and throughout the week leading up to the Bohs' game.
'You can't go away and not do anything at all. I think the lads need to be still at it.
'It's only 14 days away from the next game.
Maguire also praised new manager Ger Nash for the impact he was having on the relegation-threatened camp.
He added: 'He's just brought positivity. That's what we need in the group, a lot of confidence, because that's what we've been lacking the last couple of months.
'We're probably one of the youngest squads in the whole league.
'It's clear to see the improvements in the last 10 days or so.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Rodri impressing fellow Man City midfielder Nico Gonzalez as he ramps up fitness
Nico Gonzalez believes Rodri is getting back to his best level after continuing his comeback at the Club World Cup. Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder Rodri missed most of Manchester City's 2024-25 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury last September. He returned to action by playing seven minutes in City's penultimate Premier League fixture against Bournemouth last month and came on for the last half-hour of Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola brought on Rodri against Wydad Casablanca (Derik Hamilton/AP) Gonzalez, who plays in a similar position, was signed by City in January partly to provide cover for Rodri. The 23-year-old believes he can learn a lot from his fellow Spaniard, who he feels is 'even better' than he thought. Gonzalez said: 'He has been (back training) a couple of months. He is an amazing player and really good in everything that can be good in a midfielder. 'I am trying to learn the most I can and I think I am starting to watch him at his best level. I am seeing things that I haven't seen in a lot of midfielders. Nico Gonzalez, pictured, is trying to learn from Rodri (Martin Rickett/PA) 'I try to see all the passes the players don't see and take as much from him as I can. He helps me a lot. He is Spanish so we are starting to have a good relationship.' Gonzalez's signing came alongside those of Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov in the mid-season transfer window as City began to respond to their underwhelming season. The squad overhaul has continued with the arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Marcus Bettinelli this month. Omar Marmoush is among the recent signings at City (Martin Rickett/PA) Yet while City have clearly decided fresh faces are required after a failure to mount a strong title challenge and a premature Champions League exit, Gonzalez does not feel there was ever anything wrong with the spirit. He said: 'The mentality of all these players was always good. I don't think the mentality is what didn't make us win a trophy. I think the attitude and mentality was really good. 'Sometimes you have a better season, sometimes worse. I hope this season is the best possible.' City play their second match at the Club World Cup, and could secure a place in the last 16, when they face Al Ain of Abu Dhabi in Atlanta on Sunday night (2am Monday BST).


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Former Championship manager, 44, now working at Bristol Airport as picture of him in uniform goes viral
A FORMER Championship manager has swapped wingers for wings - by taking a job at Bristol Airport. And fans could barely believe their eyes as he opted for a high-viz instead of a high line. 2 Luke Williams was dismissed as Swansea manager in February Credit: Getty 2 He has taken on a new job helping those with mobility difficulties at Bristol Airport Credit: Ex-Swindon and Notts County chief Luke Williams was Swansea boss from January 2024 until his The London-born gaffer, 44, was placed on gardening leave. But despite no doubt receiving a pay-off from the Welsh club when axed four months ago, he was keen to do something worthwhile during his time out of the game. So much so that as he awaits a new stint in a dugout, kind-hearted Williams has undertaken a gig helping disabled and limited-mobility passengers around the Bristol Airport terminal, as reported by READ MORE ON FOOTBALL He started the job two weeks ago. And it did not take long for a photo of him at his new workplace to go viral. The snap showed humble Williams wearing his yellow reflective vest uniform and lanyard coming out of the lift in Bristol. An Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS One replied: "He's just doing this because he's bored, he genuinely doesn't care about others' opinions and you have to respect it." Another commented: "Fair play to the guy." Former Premier League manager is told 'f--- you' by his own player before he shushes him in furious Club World Cup row A third joked: "Managing in the top flight." A fourth added: "Cardiff City fan here with nothing but respect for this. Call me woke if you want. (*best believe I'll turn up in full bluebirds kit when I fly out next week)" And a final person typed: "Clearly has a massive work ethic. Good luck to him!" Williams told He also revealed how he loaded lorries for BHS and drove minibuses to and from nightclubs and airports to fund his early coaching career. In those days, he collected £1.50 for every player who attended his sessions. Williams also applied for an electrician course when he left his coaching role with


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Tottenham ask Bournemouth about Antoine Semenyo then immediately stop transfer pursuit
TOTTENHAM reportedly launched an enquiry for Antoine Semenyo before immediately halting their pursuit of the Bournemouth star. New 2 Tottenham made an enquiry for Antoine Semenyo before immediately ending their interest Credit: Getty And Semenyo, 25, emerged as a target after Tottenham also put The Bees' French forward netted 20 Premier League goals last term. But despite the opportunity to reunite with Frank in north London, Mbeumo reportedly favours a £60m move to Semenyo then became the clear alternative after also proving himself to be a goal menace when cutting inside on his left foot. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL However, the Cherries have already seen their squad ravaged by big sides this summer. Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid for £50million last month, while fellow defender Illya Zabarnyi could be off to Paris Saint-Germain for around £60m. Milos Kerkez has also agreed a £40m switch to Premier League champs Liverpool. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And with forwards always carrying a premium, it's claimed that Bournemouth told Tottenham to pay £70m for Semenyo. The mind-blowing fee was immediately rebuffed Spurs, who have decided to not pursue a deal for now. Daniel Levy reveals he wants Tottenham to win Champions League AND Premier League under 'super' Thomas Frank They will continue to scour the market for a new right-sided forward at a better price. But should Tottenham fail to secure an alternative, they could come back for Semenyo later in the transfer window. The former Bristol City and Sunderland man still has four years to run on his Cherries contract. And Semenyo is also on the shortlist at Man United, who could move should they end up losing Mbeumo to Spurs. 2