Michael O'Brien (hurling manager)

Michael G. O'Brien (1933 – 14 November 2014) was an Irish Roman Catholic priest who was also a noted hurling coach and manager.

Michael O'Brien
Personal information
Irish nameMícheál Ó Briain
SportHurling
Born1931
Innishannon, County Cork, Ireland
Died14 November 2014 (aged 81)
Dromahane, County Cork, Ireland
NicknameThe Canon
OccupationRoman Catholic priest
Club management
Years Club
Valley Rovers
Ballinhassig
Tracton
Argideen Rangers
Newcestown
Blackrock
Inter-county management
Years County
1983-1985
1989-1993
Cork
Cork
Inter-county titles
County League Province All-Ireland
Cork 1 4 2

Born in Innishannon, County Cork, O'Brien was ordained into the priesthood in 1958. Over the next forty-five years he ministered in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, while also serving as a teacher at St. Finbarr's College and chaplain to the Irish Navy. O'Brien retired from active ministry in 2003.

Concurrently with his duties as a priest, O'Brien was heavily involved as a hurling coach at colleges, university, club and inter-county levels. His biggest success came with Cork, whom he steered to two All-Ireland titles, four Munster titles and one National Hurling League title.

Biography

O'Brien was born in the parish of Innishannon/Knockavilla, County Cork. He entered St Patrick's College, Maynooth, and was ordained for the Diocese of Cork and Ross in the seminary chapel on 22 June 1958. He then ministered in the Irish-emigrant areas of London until 1961, when he returned to his home diocese and a curacy in the parish of Blackrock, Cork, where he helped to rebuild St. Michael's Church which had burnt to the ground. For 12 years, from 1964 to 1976, O'Brien taught at St. Finbarr's Seminary, Farranferris, where he was also the hurling trainer for the school team. He was "at the helm as Farranferris won Dr Harty Cups in 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, adding All-Irelands in 1972 and 1974".[1] A 12-year stint as chaplain at the Naval Base of Haulbowline followed before O'Brien returned to parish ministry, again in Blackrock. In 1985 he started a lengthy stay in Carrigaline where he served as curate, administrator and finally parish priest of Carrigaline, before retiring from active ministry in 2003.[2]

O'Brien was later resident in Nazareth Home in Dromahane.[2] He died on 14 November 2014 after a long illness.[3][4]

O'Brien served as the coach of the Cork senior hurling team on several occasions, guiding the team to All-Ireland titles in 1984 and 1990.[5] Before the 1990 Munster final, Tipperary manager Babs Keating remarked "donkeys don't win derbies", which O'Brien exploited to motivate his players to victory.[6] At club level he also managed UCC to Fitzgibbon Cup titles,[7] and later managed Blackrock GAA.[7] He also helped coaching Coláiste Chríost Rí.[8]

He is not to be confused with Canon Michael O'Brien of the neighbouring Roman Catholic Diocese of Cloyne.

Honours

Team

St. Finbarr's College
University College Cork
  • Fitzgibbon Cup (10): 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991
Argideen Rangers
Ballinhassig
Blackrock
Tracton
Cork

References

  1. Hurley, Denis (January 17, 2013). "Students honour Canon O'Brien". Irish Examiner.
  2. "Priests: Archdeacon Michael J. O'Brien PE". Diocese of Cork & Ross. Archived from the original on 2012-05-06.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2016-02-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Tomás Mulcahy, Frank Murphy and Gerald McCarthy pay tribute to the late Canon O'Brien". The Score. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  5. "McCarthy still favourite to land Cork post". Irish Examiner. 3 November 2003. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  6. "Mission Possible for Brave Tipp". The Killinan End. premierview. 23 June 2005. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  7. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (11 January 1999). "Cashman continues to hold limelight with regal display". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  8. Larkin, Brendan (3 February 1998). "Críost Rí out to end barren Harty Cup spell". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Johnny Clifford
Cork Senior Hurling Manager
(jointly with Justin McCarthy)

1983–1985
Succeeded by
Johnny Clifford
Preceded by
Con Roche
Cork Senior Hurling Manager
1989–1993
Succeeded by
Johnny Clifford
Achievements
Preceded by
Pat Henderson
(Kilkenny)
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final
winning manager

1984
Succeeded by
Dermot Healy
(Offaly)
Preceded by
Michael "Babs" Keating
(Tipperary)
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final
winning manager

1990
Succeeded by
Michael "Babs" Keating
(Tipperary)
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