At club level he played with Glen Rovers and St. Nicholas' and was a member of the Cork senior teams in both codes.
O'Sullivan first made an impression as a schoolboy hurler at the North Monastery and in the local street leagues, before joining the Glen Rovers club.
O'Sullivan first appeared on the inter-county scene as a reserve with the Cork minor hurling team in 1958, the same year he won an All-Ireland JHC title.
[4] O'Sullivan became involved in coaching as his playing days with the Glen Rovers senior team were drawing to an end.
O'Sullivan suffered a massive heart attack and died while playing a junior league match against Brian Dillons on 22 August 1985.