Christy O'Brien
Christopher "Christy" O'Brien (11 March 1933 – 7 March 2022) was an Irish hurler who played as a full-forward for the Laois senior team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Criostóir Ó Briain | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Full-forward | ||
| Born |
11 March 1933 Borris-in-Ossory, County Laois, Leinster, Ireland | ||
| 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. | |||
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 was 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 was regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time. 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.
O'Brien died on 7 March 2022, at the age of 88.