Brian O'Brien (rugby union)
{{Short description|Irish rugby union player (1939–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Brian O'Brien
| image =
| birth_name = Brian Anthony Philip O'Brien
| birth_date= 5 July 1939
| birth_place = Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|2|28|1939|7|5|df=yes}}
| death_place = Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
| height =
| weight =
| ru_position = Centre
| ru_amateuryears = 1955–1970
| ru_amateurclubs = Shannon
| ru_amupdate =
| ru_nationalteam = Ireland
| ru_nationalyears = 1968
| ru_nationalcaps = 3
| ru_nationalpoints = 0
| ru_ntupdate =
| ru_provinceyears =
| ru_province = Munster
| ru_provincecaps =
| ru_provincepoints =
| ru_provinceupdate =
| occupation =
| spouse =
| children =
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| school =
| university =
}}
Brian Anthony Philip O'Brien (5 July 1939 – 28 February 2023) was an Irish rugby union player, selector, coach and team manager.
Career
In his youth, O'Brien played as a centre with Shannon. He was part of the club's first ever Munster Senior Cup success in 1960. O'Brien later became Shannon's first ever international when he was part of the Ireland squad for the 1968 Five Nations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1048699/former-munster-manager-and-rugby-stalwart-brian-o-brien-passes-away.html|title=Former Munster manager and rugby stalwart Brian O'Brien passes away|accessdate=28 February 2023|date=28 February 2023|publisher=Limerick Leader}}
O'Brien spent nearly 15 years playing at senior level with Shannon, before going on to coach them to consecutive Munster Senior Cup titles in 1977 and 1978. He later served as a selector for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions during the latter's 1983 tour to New Zealand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/munster-hall-of-fame-member-and-ex-ireland-u21-manager-brian-obrien-dies-6007153-Feb2023/|title=Former Munster and Ireland team manager Brian O’Brien dies|accessdate=28 February 2023|date=28 February 2023|publisher=The 42}} O'Brien's other coaching roles included periods as manager of the Irish U21 team and the Shannon team that won four successive All-Ireland League titles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/rugby/anthony-foley-shannon-349146|title=Four-In-A-Row: Anthony Foley And The Great Shannon Team Of The 1990s|accessdate=28 February 2023|date=16 October 2020|publisher=balls.ie}} He also served as team manager of the Munster and Ireland teams.
Death
O'Brien died in Limerick on 28 February 2023, at the age of 83.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/02/28/former-ireland-international-player-and-team-manager-brian-obrien-dies-aged-83/|title=Former Ireland international player and team manager Brian O'Brien dies, aged 83|accessdate=28 February 2023|date=28 February 2023|publisher=Irish Times}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://en.espn.co.uk/blogs/rugby/player/7346.html Brian O'Brien profile] at the ESPN website
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{{DEFAULTSORT:O'Brien, Brian}}
Category:Irish rugby union players
Category:Ireland international rugby union players
Category:Rugby union players from Limerick (city)