Shane O'Brien (hurler)
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| Nickname | The Bull | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 2004 (age 21–22) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Student | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Hurling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Right corner-forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 9:31, 20 July 2026. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shane O'Brien (born 2004) is an Irish hurler. At club level, he plays with Kilmallock and at inter-county level with the Limerick senior hurling team.
Early life
Born and raised in Kilmallock, County Limerick, O'Brien was educated at Ardscoil Rís in Limerick. He played in all grades of hurling during his time there and was joint-captain of the school's senior team that lost the 2022 Dr Harty Cup final to St Joseph's Secondary School, Tulla.[1] He subsequently won a Dr Croke Cup medal, following a 1–17 to 0–15 win over St Kieran's College in the final.[2] During his studies at Mary Immaculate College, O'Brien was selected for the college's senior hurling team. He won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal in February 2024 following the 2–14 to 1–15 win over the University of Limerick in the final.[3]
Club career
O'Brien began his club career at juvenile and underage levels with Kilmallock. He made his senior team debut in July 2022 in a 2–23 to 2–09 win over Patrickswell.[4] O'Brien ended his debut season with a 3–23 to 2–15 defeat by Na Piarsaigh in the 2022 Limerick SHC final.[5]
Inter-county career
O'Brien first appeared on the inter-county scene for Limerick during a two-year tenure with the minor team. He won a Munster MHC medal in his first season in December 2020, when Limerick beat Tipperary in extra time by 2–22 to 0–25 in a COVID-delayed Munster MHC final.[6] O'Brien progressed to the under-20 team in 2022 and won a Munster U20HC following a four-point win over Tipperary.[7] He was at right corner-forward for Limerick's 0–19 to 0–18 defeat by Kilkenny in the 2022 All-Ireland U20HC final.[8]
O'Brien made his senior team in a 1–27 to 2–18 National Hurling League win over Clare in February 2023.[9][10] He made a number of appearances throughout the league campaign, including in the 2–20 to 0–15 win over Kilkenny in the final.[11] O'Brien was a member of the extended panel when Limerick beat Clare by 1–23 to 1–22 to win a record-equalling fifth consecutive Munster SHC title in June 2023.[12] He was again part of teh extended panel when Limerick won a record-equalling fourth consecutive All-Ireland SHC title, following a 0–30 to 2–15 win over Kilkenny in the 2023 All-Ireland SHC final.[13][14]
O'Brien, in his first championship start, scored 0–02 from play when Limerick won a record-breaking sixth consecutive Munster SHC title after a 1–26 to 1–20 win over Clare in the 2024 Munster SHC final.[15] After a trophy-less 2025 season, Limerick regained the National League title with a six-point win over Cork in April 2026, with O'Brien claiming his second winners' medal.[16] He later collected a third Munster SHC medal, as Limerick also regained that title with a 1–21 to 2–17 win over Cork in the final.[17] O'Brien won a second All-Ireland SHC medal, his first on the field of play, after a 1–29 to 1–18 win over Galway in the 2026 All-Ireland SHC final.[18]
Personal life
O'Brien is the son of Adrian O’Brien, a performance coach and athletic development specialist, and Edwina (née Moloney).[19] His grandfather, Paudie Moloney, appeared on The Traitors Ireland and Dancing with the Stars.[20]
Career statistics
Club
- As of 5 October 2025.
| Team | Year | Limerick SHC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Score | ||
| Kilmallock | 2022 | 7 | 2-20 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1-19 | |
| 2024 | 7 | 4-23 | |
| 2025 | 7 | 4-59 | |
| Career total | 26 | 11-121 | |
Inter-county
- As of 19 July 2026.
| Team | Year | National League | Munster | All-Ireland | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | ||
| Limerick | 2023 | Division 1A | 4 | 0-02 | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0-00 | 4 | 0-02 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1-08 | 2 | 0-05 | 1 | 0-02 | 6 | 1-15 | ||
| 2025 | 5 | 2-07 | 5 | 2-11 | 1 | 0-00 | 11 | 4-18 | ||
| 2026 | 6 | 2-12 | 5 | 0-15 | 2 | 0-01 | 13 | 2-28 | ||
| Career total | 18 | 5-29 | 12 | 2-31 | 4 | 0-03 | 34 | 7-63 | ||
Honours
- Ardscoil Rís
- Dr Croke Cup (1): 2022 (jc)
- Mary Immaculate College
- Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 2024
- Limerick
References
- ↑ Ó Muircheartaigh, Joe (5 February 2022). "Gritty Tulla make dreams reality with first Harty Cup win". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ↑ Keane, Paul (17 March 2022). "Kennedy delivers killer blow as Ardscoil Rís claim historic Croke Cup". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ↑ Murphy, Murt (17 February 2024). "Underdogs Mary I claim Fitzgibbon Cup, deny UL the three in a row". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ↑ "Champions Kilmallock impress in Limerick SHC as Ballybrown and South Liberties also win". Limerick Live. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Na Piarsaigh too good for Kilmallock in Limerick SHC Final". GAA website. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ↑ "Limerick crowned Munster minor champions after overcoming Tipperary". The 42. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ↑ "Treaty tyros tame Tipp to add to county's dominance". Irish Examiner. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Kilkenny claim All-Ireland U-20 title after edging Limerick in thrilling final". Irish Independent. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ↑ "First-half supremacy paves way for Limerick victory over Clare". Irish Examienr. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ↑ Fogarty, John (22 March 2023). "Potential dilemma on the horizon for Limerick's young stars". Irish Examienr. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ↑ "Classy Limerick claim league honours with ease". RTÉ Sport. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "Aaron Gillane on fire as Limerick edge Clare to secure fifth consecutive Munster title". Irish Examiner. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "Magnificent Limerick ignite in second half to make history". Irish Examiner. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "Burgeoning talent O'Brien targeting regular starting berth in green". Irish Examiner. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "Six of the best: Limerick make history with Munster final win over Clare". Irish Examiner. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "'If you get a chance to win, you have to take it' - Kiely's call that Cork shall not pass is heard". Irish Examiner. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "Munster SHC Final: Limerick finish strongly". Irish Examiner. 7 June 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "Dominant Limerick reclaim All-Ireland title with final victory over Galway". Irish Examiner. 19 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ "Highly-rated Limerick coach named as part of new Tipperary football management team". Limerick Live. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
- ↑ "New business venture for Limerick senior hurler". Limerick Live. 6 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.