I admire the Dubs Maur than most
O’brien had foot in both camps and can’t make choice
MAURICE O’BRIEN won’t be leaping from his seat at any stage regardless of how tomorrow’s Hurling League semi-final is playing out.
Hurling for both his native Limerick and adopted Dublin has given O’brien a dual identity that is difficult to shake off, not that he’d want to anyway. After winning under-21 All- Irelands in 2001 and ‘02, O’brien struggled to nail down a starting spot in the Limerick senior team though was part of the panel for the 2007 All-ireland final.
By then he was living and working in Dublin and “the commuting only lasts if you’re going to be on the starting team”.
He made a vow to break into the side in 2008, though when injury scuttled that he drew a line under his inter-county career and transferred clubs from Garryspillane to Faughs.
“I didn’t push on to senior level for multiple reasons and you can blame x, y and z but the reality is, I got the same opportunity as everyone else, didn’t take it,” says O’brien candidly.
But he got another chance when Anthony Daly came calling and gave O’brien his League debut for Dublin against his native county the following spring. He also made his full Championship debut against Limerick that summer and won League and Leinster titles
before retiring in 2013. He played against Limerick a number of times and “the more you did it, the less weird it became”.
For that Championship tie in 2009, he noticed his brother clad in green among the Limerick crowd making their way into the ground as he disembarked the Dublin team bus.
“I’d say I was a good five or 10 minutes behind the Dublin players getting into the same dressing room, the amount of good wishes from Limerick people that I had that day was brilliant before the game and something that will live with me for a long time.
“There was no ill will. People were very supportive.”
Two years ago O’brien moved back to Limerick and was part of the under-21 management team that claimed All-ireland glory in 2017 though his Dublinness hasn’t been diluted since.
“Some of the best memories I’ve had in hurling were wearing the Dublin jersey. I really cherish my time with Dublin.
“I’m not going to be there jumping up and down either which way. I’m a Limerick man first and foremost. Limerick winning the All-ireland last year was phenomenal, the enjoyment you got from it.
“I’ve huge respect for Dublin hurling and I won’t be going nailing my colours. I’m a Limerick man, I’d love to see Limerick winning. Likewise, I’d love to see Dublin winning so it’s probably a unique situation not many people find themselves in. I’ve so much respect for Dublin, I’d never wish them to lose.”
For much of the last decade or so, the two counties have been neck and neck and while Dublin have made strides in the last 12 months, Limerick have moved to a different level now.
O’brien adds: “I think the [Dublin] team solidified itself in a way last year, it’s probably stepped on a little bit now this year again. I think the signs from the outside look to be very positive so far in 2019.
“If Limerick play to the best of their ability, you would [expect them to win]. They’re All-ireland champions for a reason.
“They’ve been very impressive so far this year so should they play to the best of their ability against any team at the moment I’d say they should be winning every game. That’s the position they’ve put themselves in.
“It’s up to everybody else to take the fight to them and not allow them to put their stamp on games.
“It’ll be interesting to see how it develops, to see how teams go against them but it’s an exciting year ahead, I think.” VERDICT: Limerick