Desmond Joseph O'Brien

Desmond Joseph O’Brien

Desmond Joseph O'Brien was born in Dublin on 22 May 1919 and educated at Belvedere College and Edinburgh University. He worked as a brewery repreentative and played in the back row for London Irish, Cardiff and Old Belvedere. In 1951 he played for Cardiff against South Africa. He was first capped by Ireland in the Grand Slam season of 1948 and went on to play in 20 internationals by 1952. He also played squash for Ireland. In 1966 he was manager of the British Isles' tour of Australasia and Canada. Des O'Brien died on 26 December 2005, aged 86.