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”
