Liam O'Brien

Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien (27 July 1949 – 23 August 2021) was a former Irish sportsperson. He played senior hurling with the Kilkenny inter-county team in the 1970s.

Early life

Liam 'Chunky' O'Brien was born in Kilkenny in 1949. 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.

Playing career Club

O'Brien had much success with the James Stephens club and won his first Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship medal in 1975 before later winning a Leinster club title. This was subsequently converted into an All-Ireland club medal. In 1976 O'Brien won his second county senior medal to complete his collection.

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 Kilkenny 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 he 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. He won his first All-Star award in 1973.

Death O'Brien died on 23 August 2021, aged 72.

Honours James Stephens All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship: 1976 Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship: 1975, Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship: 1975, 1976

Kilkenny All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979 National Hurling League: 1975–76

Leinster Railway Cup: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977

Individual Texaco Hurler of the Year: 1975 All-Stars: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final Man of the Match: 1975, 1979 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Top Scorer: 1978