Thomas 'Skinner' O’Brien RIP
We lost a great friend on Sunday last and Thurles lost one of it's greatest characters. Skinner was a stalwart of Thurles Rugby club. He was involved in all aspects of club life, a Player, a member of the senior committee and both the Pitch Committee and Campervan Committee, he was hugely popular in all his roles and his contribution was invaluable.
Thomas “Skinner” O’Brien started playing with Thurles RFC in November 1980 and started a long association with the club at all levels playing in an O’Connor U20 final in 1981 to retiring from playing as second team captain through injury in 1995 after leading the seconds to Casey cup glory the previous year. After a great season in 1992 in which he won an Evans & Gleeson Cup he was rewarded with providing cover in the front row in which he could play in all positions but usually prop in the history making Challenge Cup winning team of 1993 and was also on the first Junior team to beat a Senior team UCC in the Munster Senior Cup the same year.
Skinner took over as Club Treasurer in 1993 and remained there for ten years overseeing great developments within the Club. In 1998 Skinner was awarded the Club Person of the year.
Skinner was the consummate club man, always friendly, good for a laugh, happy do any task required, lining the field, painting the goalposts, rounding up and minding strays on tour when they would get lost or worse. His presence along the sidelines on gameday was always a reason for a chat or joke or a headshake when things weren’t going well.
Skinner was true friend, and to all of us who had the privilege of his friendship will be forever at a loss with his passing
To Joan, Sandra ,James, and his Grandchildren we extend our deepest sympathies at your loss.
Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann,
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
We lost a great friend on Sunday last and Thurles lost one of it's greatest characters. Skinner was a stalwart of Thurles Rugby club. He was involved in all aspects of club life, a Player, a member of the senior committee and both the Pitch Committee and Campervan Committee, he was hugely popular in all his roles and his contribution was invaluable.
Thomas “Skinner” O’Brien started playing with Thurles RFC in November 1980 and started a long association with the club at all levels playing in an O’Connor U20 final in 1981 to retiring from playing as second team captain through injury in 1995 after leading the seconds to Casey cup glory the previous year. After a great season in 1992 in which he won an Evans & Gleeson Cup he was rewarded with providing cover in the front row in which he could play in all positions but usually prop in the history making Challenge Cup winning team of 1993 and was also on the first Junior team to beat a Senior team UCC in the Munster Senior Cup the same year.
Skinner took over as Club Treasurer in 1993 and remained there for ten years overseeing great developments within the Club. In 1998 Skinner was awarded the Club Person of the year.
Skinner was the consummate club man, always friendly, good for a laugh, happy do any task required, lining the field, painting the goalposts, rounding up and minding strays on tour when they would get lost or worse. His presence along the sidelines on gameday was always a reason for a chat or joke or a headshake when things weren’t going well.
Skinner was true friend, and to all of us who had the privilege of his friendship will be forever at a loss with his passing
To Joan, Sandra ,James, and his Grandchildren we extend our deepest sympathies at your loss.
Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann,
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
