Liam O'Brien (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien is a former Irish
sportsperson. He played senior hurling
with the Kilkenny
inter-county team in the 1970s.
in 1950. He was educated locally at St. John's De La Salle, a school associated with the O'Loughlin Gaels
hurling club. In spite of this, O'Brien would later become a star with the famous James Stephens
club.
club title. This was subsequently converted into an All-Ireland
club medal. In 1976 O'Brein won another county medal, before adding another trio of county, provincial and All-Ireland medals in 1981-1982.
senior hurling
team of the 1970s. In 1971 he won his first Leinster
title, however, in spite of an outstanding display by Eddie Keher
, Kilkenny lost to Tipperary
in the All-Ireland final. In 1972 Larkin won a second Leinster title before helping Kilkenny to defeat Cork in the subsequent final to win his first All-Ireland
medal. 1973 saw O'Brien win another Leinster medal, however, Kilkenny were defeated by Limerick
in the All-Ireland final. In spite of this 'Chunky's' championship performance earned him his first All-Star
award. The Kilkenny team quickly regrouped to win back-to-back Leinster and All-Ireland titles in 1974 and 1975, with O'Brien winning back-to-back All-Star awards also. The 1975 championship saw him produce what many believe to have been his best ever display for Kilkenny, and he was subsequently presented with the 'Hurler of the Year' award. In 1976 O'Brien helped Kilkenny to a National Hurling League
title, however, the side later lost their provincial crown to Wexford
. In 1978 Kilkenny wer back as Leinster champions with 'Chunky' winning his sixth provincial medal. Unfortunately for Kilkenny, Cork completed a three-in-a-row, winning the All-Ireland final by 1-15 to 2-8. In 1979 he won another provincial championship, before going on to claim his fourth All-Ireland medal. It was his last big occasion at Croke Park
as he retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played senior hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
inter-county team in the 1970s.
Early life
Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien was born in KilkennyKilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
in 1950. He was educated locally at St. John's De La Salle, a school associated with the O'Loughlin Gaels
O'Loughlin Gaels GAA
O'Loughlin Gaels is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the St. John’s parish of Kilkenny city, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1969, replacing the St. John’s Hurling Club that started back in 1887....
hurling club. In spite of this, O'Brien would later become a star with the famous James Stephens
James Stephens (GAA Club)
James Stephens is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1887 and has enjoyed equal success in both hurling and Gaelic football.-History:...
club.
Club
O'Brien had much success with the James Stephens club. He was barely out of minor ranks when 'the village' club won the senior county championship title in 1969. In 1975 O'Brien won another county medal before later winning a LeinsterLeinster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual Hurling tournament played between the winners of the senior club hurling championships of the counties in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny. The first Leinster senior club hurling...
club title. This was subsequently converted into an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
club medal. In 1976 O'Brein won another county medal, before adding another trio of county, provincial and All-Ireland medals in 1981-1982.
Inter-county
Although never winning All-Ireland medals at minor or under-21 levels O'Brien established himself as one of the great players on the great KilkennyKilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
senior hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
team of the 1970s. In 1971 he won his first Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
title, however, in spite of an outstanding display by Eddie Keher
Eddie Keher
Edward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
, Kilkenny lost to Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
in the All-Ireland final. In 1972 Larkin won a second Leinster title before helping Kilkenny to defeat Cork in the subsequent final to win his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal. 1973 saw O'Brien win another Leinster medal, however, Kilkenny were defeated by Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the All-Ireland final. In spite of this 'Chunky's' championship performance earned him his first All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
award. The Kilkenny team quickly regrouped to win back-to-back Leinster and All-Ireland titles in 1974 and 1975, with O'Brien winning back-to-back All-Star awards also. The 1975 championship saw him produce what many believe to have been his best ever display for Kilkenny, and he was subsequently presented with the 'Hurler of the Year' award. In 1976 O'Brien helped Kilkenny to a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title, however, the side later lost their provincial crown to Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
. In 1978 Kilkenny wer back as Leinster champions with 'Chunky' winning his sixth provincial medal. Unfortunately for Kilkenny, Cork completed a three-in-a-row, winning the All-Ireland final by 1-15 to 2-8. In 1979 he won another provincial championship, before going on to claim his fourth All-Ireland medal. It was his last big occasion at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
as he retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.