Cardiff City coach lands new job as management team unveiled
Sam O'Sullivan of Canton Liberal in action. Canton Liberal v Penybont in a Pre Season Friendly on the 9th July 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Llanrumney United have made a swift appointment and unveiled Sam O’Sullivan as their new first-team manager.
The Stags have named O’Sullivan, who was most recently player assistant-manager at Ardal South West outfit Canton as their new boss.
It comes after Ben Hartrey left the club and joined the coaching staff of Cardiff Draconians. Hartrey said he was at ‘peace with the decision’ but admitted it was not his decision to walk away.
O’Sullivan can count Port Talbot, Goytre United, Aberdare Town, Newport County, and Taffs Well as some of the clubs he represented in his playing career.
He once held the head coach role at Port Talbot after being appointed manager in August 2021, but was sacked in February 2022 during a turbulent time in the club’s history.
“Excited to get going with @LlanUtdFC on this exciting project,” posted O’Sullivan on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“It was too good an opportunity to turn down to manage a Club with massive aspirations in the next 2-3 years.
“Massive thanks to @CantonFballClub for the last 18 months and allowing me to enjoy my football and develop as a coach. It’s a fantastic community club, run by some of the most genuine people, and wish them every success in the Ardal West.”
He will be assisted by former Aberystwyth Town and Neath goalkeeper James Wood, who was at Canton with O’Sullivan. He is the son of former Arsenal, Everton, and Crystal Palace goalkeeper George Wood.
The 31-year-old was once on the books of Cardiff and Manchester City, and last year deputised as the Bluebirds’ goalkeeping coach. Wood resumed his role with this academy following the appointment of Mario Galinovic.
O’Sullivan added: “I’m looking forward to the new challenge and so grateful for Woody to join me on this exciting venture of getting Llanrumney into the Ardal leagues.”
At the time of O’Sullivan’s appointment, Llanrumney are currently seventh in the South Wales Alliance League. The Stags trail league leaders Treherbert BGC by six points.
O’Sullivan and Wood’s first game in charge comes against Tonyrefail BGC on Saturday, October 7.
