It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Jimmy O’Brien after a courageous fight after suffering a serious stroke late last year; though born and bred in Dublin Jimmy was truly one of the most passionate & dedicated followers of Shannon, Munster & Irish rugby.
Jimmy moved to Shannon Town in the late 50s to take up work in the developing industrial Shannonside region and in 1960 began his love affair with Shannon R.F.C. ; from that time on Jimmy would be a constant presence at Shannon matches home and away bringing his great humour and touching so many people with his personable ways and devilish glint in his eye.
A fitter by trade Jimmy’s true talent was his ability to connect with people of all walks of life regaling and entertaining with his many anecdotes and stories; a great family man too our thoughts are with his wife Mary and his children – Lawrence, Deirdre, Bernie, Orla and Brian at this sad time.
If a person can be considered as being a Shannon great without playing for the club or holding an administrative or management role then Jimmy would be that person; his passion for rugby brought him to all the corners of the world however it’ll be an empty space on the far side of the Coonagh pitch on match day where he will be forever remembered.
May he rest in peace.
The picture of Jimmy (left)was taken at the 2005 AIL Final and shows him as we’ll all remember him with a smile on his face and with his good friend and fellow Shannon stalwart John Kent beside him.
Funeral Arrangements -
Removal from the family home 2 Drumgeely Avenue, Shannon, Co. Clare @ 7.30pm, February 18th to Mary Immaculate Church, 4 Dun na Rí, Shannon, Co. Clare
Funeral mass @ 1.30pm, Sunday February 19th