Christy O'Brien
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Irish name | Criostóir Ó Briain | ||
Sport | Hurling | ||
Position | Full-forward | ||
Born |
Borris-in-Ossory,County Laois,Leinster,Ireland | 11 March 1933||
Died | 7 March 2022 | (aged 88)||
Club(s) | |||
Years | Club | ||
Borris-in-Ossory | |||
Club titles | |||
Laois titles | 5 | ||
Inter-county(ies)* | |||
Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1952–1970 | Laois | 24 (9–24) | |
Inter-county titles | |||
Leinster titles | 0 | ||
All-Irelands | 0 | ||
NHL | 2 (Div2) | ||
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 20:25, 13 March 2015. |
Christopher"Christy"O'Brien(11 March 1933 – 7 March 2022) was an Irishhurlerwho played as a full-forward for theLaoissenior team.
Born inBorris-in-Ossory,County Laois,O'Brien first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Laois minor team. He joined the senior panel during the1952 championship.O'Brien later became a regular member of the starting fifteen, however, he ended his playing days without any Tier1 silverware, although he did win two NHL Div2 titles - 1960 & 1965.
As a member of theLeinsterinter-provincial team on a number of occasions he won threeRailway Cupmedals. At club level he was a five-timechampionshipmedallist withBorris-in-Ossory.
Throughout his career O'Brien made 24 championship appearances. He retired following the conclusion of the1970 championship.
O'Brien was regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.[1][2]He has often been voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at full-forward on a special Hurling Team of the Century made up of players never to have won anAll-Irelandmedal.
O'Brien died on 7 March 2022, at the age of 88.[3]
Playing career[edit]
Club[edit]
O’Brien played his club hurling with his localBorris-in-Ossoryclub and enjoyed much success. He was a key member of the club’s team when Borris-in-Ossory won its first seniorcounty titlein 1956. It was the first of three consecutive county titles for O’Brien and his club. He added two more county medals to his collection in 1960 and 1961.[4]
Inter-county[edit]
O’Brien first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with theLaoisminor hurling team. He had little success in this grade and made his senior debut in 1952. O’Brien’s senior inter-county career was a frustrating one as Laois were down the pecking order in terms of the hurling standard inLeinster.In spite of winning the provincial title in 1949, Laois never appeared in another Leinster final. O’Brien continued playing with the county until 1970.[citation needed]
Christy played his only Walsh Cup game in 1956 - then called the Leinster Council Senior Hurling Accident Fund Tournament - in Laois' first ever Walsh Cup game (against Kilkenny). O'Brien started in goals, but moved outfield for the second half.[citation needed]
He played a total of 66 times for Laois (24 SHC, 41 NHL & 1 Walsh Cup). At the time of his retirement, his 41 league appearances were only behindHarry Gray(44) andPaddy Lalor(43) in terms of Laois records.[citation needed]
Championship appearances[edit]
Inter-provincial[edit]
O’Brien also lined out withLeinsterin the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his firstRailway Cupmedal in 1962 as Leinster defeatedMunster.O’Brien won further Railway Cup medals in 1964 and 1965.
Honours[edit]
Player[edit]
- Borris-in-Ossory
- Laois Senior Hurling Championship(5): 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1972
- Leinster
- Railway Cup(3): 1962, 1964, 1965
- Leinster Hall of Fame 2019
References[edit]
- ^Breheny, Martin (26 March 2011)."Unsung heroes: the results".Irish Independent.Retrieved13 March2015.
- ^O'Sullivan, Jim (27 June 2011)."Friendship of greats worth more than medals to Smyth".Irish Examiner.Retrieved13 March2015.
- ^"The death has occurred of Christy O'Brien".RIP.ie. 7 March 2022.Retrieved9 March2022.
- ^"The Laois GAA Records Bible".22 August 2020.