Connacht Rugby's Sean O'Brien has been forced to announce his retirement this week.
The popular Galwegian, who suffered a concussion playing for the Connacht Eagles in February, has been advised to give up the game he has loved since starting out as a child in Galwegians RFC where his dad, the late Iain, was involved.
O'Brien was always destined to play for his home province, and he was well on that road having won a Connacht Junior Cup with Calasanctius College, Oranmore before returning to Roscrea where he captained the Cistercian College to a Leinster Schools Cup semi-final.
Progressing through the Connacht Academy, he represented Ireland at all underage levels, U18, U19 and U20 level, and was captain of the Ireland U20s for the 2014 Junior World Championships.
It would be only a matter of time before he would play for the Connacht professional side, and he made his Connacht debut away to Enisei-STM during the 2015/16 Challenge Cup. He came off the bench in the Guinness PRO12 final that same year, and as an intelligent, athletic, fast, and strong backrow player, he soon established himself as a regular in the Connacht XV.
A first senior contract followed and the 26-year-old went on to make 60 appearances for his home province. In between, however, he was beset with a series of injuries, but it was a concussion when playing for the Eagles that finally forced his premature retirement.
This week O’Brien thanked Connacht Rugby "for making a young boy’s dream come true".
The memories and friendships made will last a lifetime. I’d also like to thank all those in Wegians, Roscrea and Calasanctius who played their part in making it possible, and in particular my dad Iain who coached me throughout my youth.
"Not everyone gets a fairytale ending, but I will never forget just how lucky I was to be a part of this club. I am looking forward to cheering in the stands.”
