The Late Denis O'Brien

When Gaels in the countryside of the pagan queen Aine gathered to glance back at the many hurling deeds and gaelic passions of so many heroes, the name of Denis O'Brien will lead the illustrious list.

Denis loved and played hurling with his native parish Knockainey and on the field of play or the side line he advocated fire and gusto. Denis O'Brien took both success and disappointment in his stride as he could never see his own parish playing badly.

His finest hour was in 1953 when Knockainey were crowned county junior hurling champions and his contribution on the field at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds on the historic first for the All Blacks is forever etched in the folklore of the Barony of Small County.

His love of gaelic games never waned at his years progressed and he loyally served the continuation of the games of Knockainey. His love of hurling was the reason for him becoming president of South Bord na nOg. In the competitions under this body at divisional or county level he was extremely proud of his twin sons, Donnacha and William who figured in some mighty games in Feile na nGael. All his four sons played with Knockainey- Seamus, Mike, Donnacha and William. And his daughters Breda, Anne Marie and Mags and his good wife and friend Anne travelled to every match in support of Knockainey.

Denis was a proud man when William played on the victorious Limerick team, All-Ireland intermediate hurling champions in 1992. William died a the age of 28 years, four year ago, a tragedy which the O'Brien family bore with dignity but Denis silently carried the loss as a parent does. William was a bright star in every hurling field in the country at the time and Denis never forgot his very fine efforts for Knockainey and Limerick.

The winning of the Garvey Cup with Knockainey against Hospital was another bright moment in the hurling life of Denis. The Cup was only played for once and it was hidden away in the O'Brien homestead in Ragumas for many years and only came to be seen in recent years and now it is in the O'Brien home in Kilballyowen.

His contribution to the publication "Rambling through Knockainey" was work he really enjoyed. In recent times his hurling pal from Knockainey, Paddy Keane, passed on to meet his maker and now these two great stalwarts lie in Knockainey cemetery and Denis is beside his son William. The part played by the grandmother of Denis in the black days of the Land League was an inspiration to future generations of the O'Brien's and Denis was really proud of the tradition.

Denis O'Brien will live forever in the hurling lore of Knockainey. He epitomised all the goodness and spirit in his native place. May his soul rest in peace in the hallowed land of Áine.

by Harry Greensmyth

Courtesy of the Limerick Leader
September 4th 2010 Tweet

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