The Late Tommy O'Brien Kilkenny sport lost a loyal and dear friend. The ever cheerful Tommy O'Brien a sports activist, promoter and in latter years commentator died at Waterford Regional Hospital. He was aged 63. Mr O'Brien from Michael Street in the city, was your quintessential Kilkenny man. He loved the county, its people and all about the place. And he delighted in the achievements of Kilkenny people, be that in sport, business theatre or whatever. Tommy, as he was more popularly known, was a devotee of handball. As player, administrator and coach to a host of stars, he gained a glowing reputation as someone who always had the interests of the game in heart. Last year a lifetime's service to the game was recognised when he was presented with a President's Award by GAA President Nickey Brennan at a special ceremony in Croke Park. Mr O'Brien rose to the highest office in the game, and served as president of the Irish Handball Council. His terms of office coincided with the centenary celebrations of the GAA in 1984 when Kilkenny held the unique distinction of having all the presidents in office, namely Mr O'Brien (handball), Paddy Buggy (GAA) and Mary Fennelly (Camogie Association). Tommy O'Brien served as chairman of the Kilkenny Handball Board from 1973 to 1976. Earlier, between 1968 and 1972, he served as secretary. He was a member of the Talbot's Inch club. He served for over 30 years as secretary of the Leinster Handball Council. His efforts to promote the game went way beyond administrative work, however. For decades he was the handball correspondent for the Kilkenny People, and his dedication to the cause never wavered. Never did a week go by by the many successes of handballers, club and inter-county players, were celebrated through Tommy's flowing prose. No matter how busy he was, the notes always appeared, written in a bright and deadly accurate style that required little or no editing. Mr O'Brien was a prolific writer. Handball, hurling, camogie or whatever, he could write about it at his ease. He looked at writing about the achievements of people almost as a duty. He was a keeper of records, if you like, although that wasn't the drive behind his commitment. He simply liked the achievements of people to be recognised. He was also a member of the editorial team that produced the national handball annual each year. He promoted the game with enthusiasm at under-age level, and did everything to help a promising talent reach full maturity. Michael 'Ducksie' Walsh, winner of a staggering 38 senior championship, was a protégé. D.J. Carey was another. He was the manager of the first Irish team to participate in the US national junior championships in 1981 when 'Ducksie' contested the under-15 division. Mr O'Brien knew his handball, tactically as well as everything else, and Mr Walsh readily admitted that he depended on him as mentor and friend for years. When Mr Walsh won his senior medal in the All-Ireland of 2001 he gave it to Tommy O'Brien in appreciation of all the help and support he had offered down through the years. Mr O'Brien won National League honours at novice level with Kilkenny, partnered by Ray Lennon. He also won several honours at county level. Tommy O'Brien loved hurling and camogie too, and he enjoyed the respect of those involved in the games. He always used the royal "we" when speaking about Kilkenny, feeling, as he did, a part of what was going on or was being achieved by his fellow county people. He was chairman of the Kilkenny Feile-na-nGael committee when the big under-age festival came to the county first in 1978/79. No matter what job he took on, he brought dynamism and order to it because he was a splendid organiser. He was the first lay principal appointed to the CBS primary school, Stephen Street in th city, where he received his early education. Later he studied at St Enda's College, Galway. He graduated in 1964. Mr O'Brien may have been the principal in the CBS, but to the pupils he was a friend. There was an easy air of command about him, but he was always addressed with respect as Mr O'Brien. He retired from teaching over a dozen years ago, and took on a new role as sports commentator/broadcaster with the then Radio Kilkenny, later he become KCLR. He brought a great depth of knowledge to the sports department. He had an easy and relaxed style of interviewing, and a lovely way of allowing the conversation unfold. He rarely failed to unearth the true story, however. Mr O'Brien played hurling with Eire Og, and he was also associated with the Dicksboro and O'Loughlin/Gaels clubs in more recent times. The many other roles he took on in life included being chairman of the Football Board (1968), PRO of the Camogie Board and he was a member of the Michael Lyng Motors committee that picked the Kilkenny team and players of the year. He was also an enthusiastic committee member of the Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club and he was loyal and dedicated member of the Smithwick's Sports Star Committee from the day it was formed to honour locals who excelled in sport. He was a top class MC, and he was always called upon by the GAA to take the microphone for their big nights of celebration. He was son of Daniel and Maureen O'Brien of Michael Street, Kilkenny. The remains were received at St John's church, Kilkenny. Burial was in Foulkstown cemetery. On both occasions, handball personalities from all over the country came to pay their final respects. A minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect of Mr O'Brien National Hurling League game between Kilkenny and Wexford in Wexford Park. "He was a big GAA personality," said Kilkenny GAA Board chairman, Paul Kinsella when tribute was paid at monthly meeting. "He was a very talented man, speaking, singing or when promoting something. He will be a loss, a huge loss. Mr O'Brien is survived by his brothers, Donal, the former Town Clerk, Déaghán. Tadhg, Finbarr and Liam; Réidín Condon and Gráinne O'Neill (sisters); John Condon and Sean O'Neill (brothers-in-law); Sarah, Isabel, Nora and Fidelma O'Brien (sisters-in-law); Mrs Nancy Kearney, Athlone and Mrs Joan Sewell, Dublin (aunts) and a host of other relatives and friends. JK Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 14th March 2008 Tweet

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