The 30 players that will take to the field in Parnell Park in search of an All-Ireland U21 football medal on Saturday have their roots in staunch club football backgrounds.
O’Brien is different. His club Ballina, a village that skirts the Tipperary-Clare border, is focused exclusively on hurling. In 2012 the 20 year-old won an All-Ireland minor hurling medal with Tipperary and a Croke Cup with Nenagh CBS.
But his present focus is on football and doesn’t find the lack of club activity a hindrance.
“It’s great to just have football county because you’re not torn between too many training sessions. Every session I’ve been going to with football I enjoy it because I don’t feel under pressure that I’ve to train tonight with the county and tomorrow with the club.
“It’s a nice way to be. You always have a clear mind going training and you’re fresh. I don’t play club football. It’s rare alright. We didn’t play U21 or anything this year. We’re a small village and hurling is the number one.”
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Steven O'Brien in action for the Tipperary U21's last year. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
O’Brien draws his football influences from different quarters and he factored that in when choosing what college to study in.
“DCU is a well known college in terms of football. It was always in the back of my mind that I’m going to college and I want to play football as well. If you want to play, you want to achieve. Going on DCU’s past record, it was one of the things that swung me towards there.”
Sigerson
It was a move that paid off when the 2nd year student won a Sigerson Cup medal in February at the first attempt. He came under the stewardship of legendary Meath maestro Sean Boylan in the DCU camp.
“Sean is well able to relate to players. He’s actually a true gentleman. He’d always come in and he’d make sure to meet every man before training and shake their hands and see how they were.
“He’s a very good people person. His knowledge of the game is just superb. You knew that he knew so much and wanted to pass it on to us.”
Steven O'Brien won a Sigerson Cup medal with DCU Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
O’Brien isn’t the only club member making waves on the Tipperary senior scene with Michael Breen nailing down a defensive spot with Eamonn O’Shea’s hurling side recently.
Mikey’s flying it. I’m absolutely delighted for him. The man works so hard. He picked up a bit of an injury in 2013, but since then he’s absolutely flying it.
“He’s done his rehab and everything superbly. I’m delighted he’s taken his chance this year.”
Michael Breen (right) in action for Tipperary against Offaly. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
O’Brien has seized his own opportunity. His drive to Saturday’s decider against Tyrone has been fueled by a hurt at minor level.
When we were minor in 2012, we won the Munster and we went on to play Mayo in an All-Ireland quarter-final. We let ourselves down I felt and got knocked out.
“I always knew that I really wanted to get back there with the same group of players to prove ourselves again.
‘Awful Hard’
“The last two years we got to the final against Cork. Losing the first year in Thurles was awful hard to lose in your own patch.
“Then to go down to Páirc Uí Rinn (in 2014) and basically not show up on the day was awful disappointing after all the hard work we’d done. There was no way any of the lads involved (this year) were going to leave it behind.
Steven O'Brien (right) celebrates Tipperary's Munster U21 football final win. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“A couple of the older lads on the panel said Munster was great but believe us there is an All-Ireland title in this panel if we believe. We were always just gearing small steps up the ladder. Now we’re on the final hurdle, we have to make sure not to fall.”
Sean Boylan's influence, Tipp's All-Ireland U21 football bid and playing only hurling at club level
STEVEN O’BRIEN KNOWS he is a rare breed.
The 30 players that will take to the field in Parnell Park in search of an All-Ireland U21 football medal on Saturday have their roots in staunch club football backgrounds.
O’Brien is different. His club Ballina, a village that skirts the Tipperary-Clare border, is focused exclusively on hurling. In 2012 the 20 year-old won an All-Ireland minor hurling medal with Tipperary and a Croke Cup with Nenagh CBS.
But his present focus is on football and doesn’t find the lack of club activity a hindrance.
“It’s great to just have football county because you’re not torn between too many training sessions. Every session I’ve been going to with football I enjoy it because I don’t feel under pressure that I’ve to train tonight with the county and tomorrow with the club.
“It’s a nice way to be. You always have a clear mind going training and you’re fresh. I don’t play club football. It’s rare alright. We didn’t play U21 or anything this year. We’re a small village and hurling is the number one.”
O’Brien draws his football influences from different quarters and he factored that in when choosing what college to study in.
“DCU is a well known college in terms of football. It was always in the back of my mind that I’m going to college and I want to play football as well. If you want to play, you want to achieve. Going on DCU’s past record, it was one of the things that swung me towards there.”
Sigerson
It was a move that paid off when the 2nd year student won a Sigerson Cup medal in February at the first attempt. He came under the stewardship of legendary Meath maestro Sean Boylan in the DCU camp.
“Sean is well able to relate to players. He’s actually a true gentleman. He’d always come in and he’d make sure to meet every man before training and shake their hands and see how they were.
“He’s a very good people person. His knowledge of the game is just superb. You knew that he knew so much and wanted to pass it on to us.”
O’Brien isn’t the only club member making waves on the Tipperary senior scene with Michael Breen nailing down a defensive spot with Eamonn O’Shea’s hurling side recently.
“He’s done his rehab and everything superbly. I’m delighted he’s taken his chance this year.”
O’Brien has seized his own opportunity. His drive to Saturday’s decider against Tyrone has been fueled by a hurt at minor level.
“I always knew that I really wanted to get back there with the same group of players to prove ourselves again.
‘Awful Hard’
“The last two years we got to the final against Cork. Losing the first year in Thurles was awful hard to lose in your own patch.
“Then to go down to Páirc Uí Rinn (in 2014) and basically not show up on the day was awful disappointing after all the hard work we’d done. There was no way any of the lads involved (this year) were going to leave it behind.
“A couple of the older lads on the panel said Munster was great but believe us there is an All-Ireland title in this panel if we believe. We were always just gearing small steps up the ladder. Now we’re on the final hurdle, we have to make sure not to fall.”
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All-Ireland U21FC DCU Premier Sean Boylan Steven O'Brien Stevie Wonder Tipperary