Canon O’Brien a huge part of the tradition of UCC hurling, says David Griffin

The hurlers of UCC and Cork face off this evening in the Canon O’Brien Cup, an annual clash in memory of the late coach, who had many fruitful years with both sides (7.30pm at the Mardyke).

UCC’s Rickard Cahalane says that though Canon Michael O’Brien passed away three years ago, his memory is part of the fabric of the college hurling club.

“Big time, we’d all have heard the stories. Even in my own club (Ballymartle) the lads who would have played Fitzgibbon themselves in their own time with UCC, Seamus Corry and lads like that, they’ve had all said it — how much Canon O’Brien influenced them.