TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to Archdeacon Michael O’Brien, the manager of Cork’s 1990 All-Ireland winning hurling team, who died on Friday following a long illness.
A giant of Cork hurling, “the Canon” famously led UCC to eight consecutive Fitzgibbon Cup titles in the 1980s and remained involved with Willie Smyth and Dan Beechinor for two more wins in 1990 and 1991.
He co-managed the Cork hurlers to the All-Ireland title in 1984 alongside Justin McCarthy and after replacing Con Roche had his second success in 1990, leading the Rebels to the first leg of their famous double.
O’Brien also coached Farranferris to five Dr Harty Cup wins between 1969 and 1974 as well as two All-Irelands in 1972 and 1974.
He was a “legend of Cork hurling,” Tomás Mulcahy wrote on Twitter this evening while Tom Kenny described him as “one of the best”
A legend of both Cork hurling and Blackrock hurling. RIP The Canon (Archdeacon) my apologies, will always be known as The Canon. Thank you for the glory days.
My former parish priest. Ingrained In my upbringing. God bless.
Lord have mercy on him.
May he rest in peace -
Corkonians need a bit of help here ,
The story goes that at half-time in the ’96 all-Ireland after Joe Cooney showed ye for once and for all that Galway have the best hurlers (wink) that Mr. Cashman turned to Fr. and asked to be taken off – couldn’t do anything , and Fr. O’Brien responded by saying words to the effect – “I can’t, we have no-one else !”
If it’s true he must have spent the second half praying and there must be a God is all I’ll say – after that !
1990 All Ireland.There was Devine intervention on Corks behalf for sure that day.Martin Naughton through on the Cork goals his shot hits Ger Cunningham on the face goes wide no 65 to Galway due to the usual incompetence, Cork goal from the puck out and the game turned in Corks favour.RIP Canon O Brien.
RIP. He was my parish priest once upon a time and I have fond memories of him. His contribution to hurling in Cork was immense.