A BIG BOX OF TRICKS
BY PAUL O’HEHIR
JAKE O’BRIEN might have been preparing for the Olympics in Paris this summer had life taken a different turn.
He won a national boxing title as a teenager and was also a hurler of note, involved in Cork’s underage teams.
But the towering Cork man always dreamed of playing for Ireland and
doesn’t regret his
I played a lot decision to side with
football. of sports but
In fact, he not only football was dreamed of playing
for Ireland but was one I loved
convinced he would the most make it, even though
he was a late bloomer and only won his first caps at under-21 level.
“Growing up I played a lot of sports but football was always the one I enjoyed most,” he said yesterday, ahead of Saturday’s clash with Belgium.
“It’s always been my ambition to play for Ireland and play at the highest level. Growing up it was always my number one sport but I obviously enjoyed the other ones too.”
At 22, O’brien played in the same age group as the likes of Nathan Collins - now a direct rival for a spot in the team - and Jason Knight and Adam Idah.
“I was a late developer in size.,” said the 6ft’6 centre-back. “I wasn’t physically developed enough to compete with these players.
“It was only at 16 and 17 when things started coming for me in terms of physicality.
“When I was at Cork City it was about putting it together physically, before going over to England.
“But ever since I was young, I always believed I could play for Ireland. It was more about patience and taking the opportunity when it came.
“Everyone develops at different stages and for me it was at a later stage to other players, but I always believed in myself.”
And O’brien added: “Learning different aspects of different sports, and taking things away from all of them, has made me the player that I am.”