Kilkenny mourns 'genuinely popular figure' Liam ‘Chunky’ O’Brien

Hurler of the Year in 1975, O’Brien ended up a four time All-Star (1973-75, 1979). Seven Leinster titles (1971-75, 1978-79), an NHL title (1976) and three Railway Cups (1973, 1975, 1977) completed a serious achievement.

Liam O'Brien RIP pictured in 2004.

The passing of Liam ‘Chunky’ O’Brien meant a profound sadness not just within Kilkenny GAA but within all hurling circles.

“He genuinely was a popular figure with everyone,” Ned Quinn notes. “Massively popular, right across the country. You have this supposedly bitter rivalry between Kilkenny and Tipperary, but Chunky was close to some of their greats, and particularly to John Doyle and Jimmy Doyle. Those friendships say a lot about him as a person, quite apart from his magnificent hurling.”