“I said, ‘Nothing stupid early on, lads’… and then, 90 seconds later, I’d a fella punched in the stomach, myself!” Although it came at a price, Sean O’Brien was fortunate that this was missed by the match officials at the time. Ireland’s 2015 World Cup campaign ranks up there with 2011 as the most frustrating […]

2 years ago

The future is bright in Tyrone. Tyrone have blooded more new players than most in this Allianz National League so far, so you can expect to see these fresh faces more often in a Red Hand jersey. Since winning the All-Ireland in 2021, a lot has been made of the amount of players that have […]

2 years ago

“You have got to earn that right.” There is no real disputing it. Ronan O’Gara is going to coach Ireland some day [don’t be surprised if Johnny Sexton does, too]. Every Test nation in the world would be foolish if they were to consider their next head coach, when the time comes, and not seek […]

3 years ago

The Tullow Tank had to change his club rugby plans slightly. Sean O’Brien had been seeking to play for his club, Tullow, when he returned from his professional rugby stint in England, with London Irish. That move to a junior-level side was prevented when the domestic level section of the Leinster Rugby branch stated it […]

3 years ago

“It would be good to get in someone with a different perspective.” It is all go in Irish rugby coaching circles, today. Denis Leamy is leaving Leinster for Munster but, in Sean O’Brien, his replacement has already been found. Minutes after Leinster announced Leamy (contact skills coach) would be leaving their coaching set-up, Munster swooped […]

4 years ago

High praise, from one class openside to another. On Saturday, Sean O’Brien brought down the curtain on a 15-season career as a professional rugby player with his final game for London Irish. The former Leinster, Ireland and Lions back-row is still hopeful of lining out for the Barbarians, against England, in what would be a […]

4 years ago