Christy O'Brien

Christopher "Christy" O'Brien (born 11 March 1933) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a full-forward for the Laois senior team.

For the Irish Olympic rower, see Christy O'Brien (rower).

Christy O’Brien
Personal information
Irish name Criostóir Ó Briain
Sport Hurling
Position Full-forward
Born (1933-03-11) 11 March 1933
Borris-in-Ossory, County Laois, Ireland
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.

Born in Borris-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 the 1952 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 the Leinster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions he won three Railway Cup medals. At club level he is a five-time championship medallist with Borris-in-Ossory.

Throughout his career O'Brien made 24 championship appearances. He retired following the conclusion of the 1970 championship.

O'Brien is 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 an All-Ireland medal.

Playing career

Club

O’Brien played his club hurling with his local Borris-in-Ossory club and enjoyed much success. He was a key member of the club’s team when Borris-in-Ossory won its first senior county title in 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.

Inter-county

O’Brien first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Laois minor 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 in Leinster. 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.

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.

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 a Laois record.

Championship appearances
List of appearances
# Date Venue Pos/No Opponent Score Result W/L Competition
1 22 May 1955 O'Connor Park, Offaly CB/6 Westmeath 2–3 : 4–8 L Leinster Quarter-Final
2 22 April 1956 O'Moore Park, Laois CB/6 Offaly 5–9 : 4–5 W Leinster Semi-Final
3 14 April 1957 Birr, Offaly LWB/5 Offaly 0–1 2–8 : 2–11 L Leinster Round1
4 4 May 1958 O'Connor Park, Offaly CF/11 Westmeath 0–2 5–8 : 4–10 W Leinster Round1
5 26 April 1959 O'Connor Park, Offaly FB/3 Meath 3–8 : 0–8 W Leinster Round1
6 10 May 1959 O'Moore Park, Laois FB/3 Offaly 6–12 : 2–7 W Leinster Quarter-Final
7 21 June 1959 Birr, Offaly FB/3 Kilkenny 2–4 : 8–10 L Leinster Semi-Final
8 10 April 1960 Newbridge, Kildare FB/3 Meath 3–9 : 2–5 W Leinster Round1
9 16 April 1961 O'Connor Park, Offaly CB/6 Westmeath 0–1 4–5 : 3–8 D Leinster Round1
10 30 April 1961 Birr, Offaly CB/6 Westmeath 2–8 : 2–9 L Leinster Round1 replay
11 15 April 1962 O'Moore Park, Laois FB/3 Offaly 5–8 : 2–1 W Leinster Round1
12 29 April 1962 O'Connor Park, Offaly FB/3 Westmeath 4–5 : 4–3 W Leinster Quarter-Final
13 8 July 1962 Croke Park, Dublin FB/3 Wexford 3–6 : 5–14 L Leinster Semi-Final
14 10 April 1964 Nowlan Park, Kilkenny FB/3 Carlow 2–9 : 4–12 L Leinster Round1
15 23 April 1965 O'Connor Park, Offaly CF/11 Westmeath 2–2 5–6 : 2–5 W Leinster Round1
16 13 June 1965 Birr, Offaly CF/11 Offaly 1–5 2–14 : 2–9 W Leinster Quarter-Final
17 11 July 1965 Croke Park, Dublin CF/11 Wexford 1–1 2–6 : 1–15 L Leinster Semi-Final
18 15 May 1966 Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow CF/11 Carlow 1–2 1–11 : 1–16 L Leinster Round1
19 21 May 1967 O'Connor Park, Offaly CF/11 Westmeath 1–6 5–11 : 4–9 W Leinster Quarter-Final
20 25 June 1967 Nowlan Park, Kilkenny CF/11 Wexford 0–1 1–6 : 6–10 L Leinster Semi-Final
21 5 May 1968 O'Connor Park, Offaly FF/14 Westmeath 1–3 1–10 : 3–7 L Leinster Round1
23 25 May 1969 O'Connor Park, Offaly RCB/4 Westmeath 5–12 : 0–1 W Leinster Round1
23 15 June 1969 O'Moore Park, Laois RCB/4 Offaly 2–0 2–5 : 8–10 L Leinster Quarter-Final
24 24 May 1970 Birr, Offaly RCF/15 Offaly 2–9 : 2–15 L Leinster Quarter-Final

Inter-provincial

O’Brien also lined out with Leisnter in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his first Railway Cup medal in 1962 as Leinster defeated Munster. O’Brien won further Railway Cup medals in 1964 and 1965.

Honours

Player
Borris-in-Ossory
Leinster
  • Railway Cup (3): 1962, 1964, 1965
  • Leinster Hall of Fame 2019

References
  1. Breheny, Martin (26 March 2011). "Unsung heroes: the results". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  2. O'Sullivan, Jim (27 June 2011). "Friendship of greats worth more than medals to Smyth". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
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