Meet the players
Niall O’Brien
- Born On: 8 November 1981
- Club: Leicestershire
- Cap Number: 638
- Debut Match: July 2002 v Denmark
- Batting Style: Right-hand
- Bowling Style: N/A Wicket-Keeper
- Career Best: 176 v UAE in 2005
Niall John O’Brien
Niall is Kevin’s older brother and part of the O’Brien clan that has produced a litany of fine sportsmen and women. Like Kevin, he was educated in Marian College and also spent much time learning his trade in grade cricket in Australia where he experienced great success with Mosman and North Sydney’s first grade sides.
He was first capped for Ireland against Denmark in Stormont in 2002. Niall has represented Ireland on 127 occasions. He has scored 3,788 runs with 6 centuries. As wicketkeeper he has taken 125 catches and 24 stumpings.
Of Niall’s 6 centuries, the highest is 176 against the UAE in Windhoek in 2005 in the semi final of the Intercontinental Cup, a trophy which Ireland went on to win in the final against Kenya also in Windhoek. However, his best innings was arguably the 72 he scored against Pakistan in Sabina Park, Kingston in the 2007 World Cup, an innings that was largely responsible for that first World Cup victory over a test playing nation. That match is seen by many as the catalyst for all of the success of Irish Cricket over the last 6 years.
Niall, as well as representing Railway Union, has been a full-time county cricketer for some years now, representing Kent first and subsequently Northampton where he continues to appear in their first team.
Niall O’Brien's statistics coming soon
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Test foot forward – Not content to simply make up the numbers
June 18th 2013
On that famous night in Bangalore, after Kevin O’Brien had launched a staggering counter-attack and smashed England’s potent bowling attack to all four corners, the dust began to settle on another remarkable achievement as another glorious chapter was etched into this country’s cricketing history.
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Cricket Ireland Launch Club Deal for RSA Challenge 2013
March 26th 2013
Full details of how clubs across Ireland can avail of special prices for the 2013 RSA Challenge
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Johnston inspires Ireland to brink of World Cup
March 20th 2013
A sensational bowling spell from Trent Johnston coupled with a disciplined batting effort ensured Ireland won their second World Cup qualifying encounter against the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah.
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Wilson guides Ireland home to win over UAE
March 17th 2013
Ireland were superb in the field in Sharjah and a gem of an innings from Gary Wilson with a little help from Kevin O'Brien and John Mooney steered Ireland home to send them 4 points clear at the top of the ICC World Cricket League Championship Table.
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Back the Boys in Green for Australia 2015
March 15th 2013
Cricket Ireland looks for the Irish public to get behind their nation's cricketers as they push for qualification to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
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O’Brien and Joyce centuries power Ireland to record score
March 13th 2013
Ireland's cricketers recorded the highest total in their 158 year history to remain in total control on the second day of their InterContinental Cup clash against the UAE in Sharjah.
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Ireland v UAE Day 1 Highlights
March 12th 2013
Highlights of Ireland's dominant first day in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Sharjah versus the UAE.
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Ireland dominate opening day of InterContinental Cup clash with UAE
March 12th 2013
A thoroughly professional first day batting display from Ireland has left them in control of their InterContinental Cup clash with the UAE in Sharjah.
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Ireland seeking fourth InterContinental Cup win
March 11th 2013
Ireland's quest for a fourth InterContinental Cup win gets under way in the desert tomorrow, when they take on the UAE in Sharjah.
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Irish cricket’s glory night – two years on
March 2nd 2013
Nick Royle from Setanta Sports talks to some of the Irish team from that glory night in the Indian city of Bangalore.
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Ireland opt for experience ahead of crucial UAE tour
February 15th 2013
Cricket Ireland have named an experienced squad of 14 ahead of their crucial tour of the UAE next month.
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Ireland announce player contracts
February 14th 2013
Max Sorensen and an exciting quartet of youngsters are the major beneficiaries of the 17 contracts announced by Cricket Ireland for the 2013 season, with a further five contracts to be offered in due course.
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Video: The 2012 Irish Cricket Year in Review
January 3rd 2013
A look back on the year of Irish cricket in 2012. With footage and coverage from right across all areas of the sport here in Ireland.
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Ireland v Australia Match Highlights
September 21st 2012
Video Highlights of Ireland's seven wicket loss to Australia in the opening match of Group B of the ICC World Twenty 20 on Wednesday in Colombo. Ireland must now re-group ahead of their crucial match against the West Indies on Monday at 3pm Irish time.
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World T20 Tour Diaries - Day 12 Niall O’Brien
September 21st 2012
Niall O'Brien reflects on defeat to Australia but a happier day visiting the Arklow Boys home yesterday which helped put things into perspective somewhat.
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Australia dominate Ireland to win by 7 Wickets
September 19th 2012
The first match of Group B in the ICC World Twenty 20 was a very one-sided affair as Ireland were outplayed by Australia and lost by 7 wickets.
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Ireland crush Zimbabwe in Warm up Win
September 13th 2012
Ireland continued their positive build-up for ICC World Twenty 20 this week by beating Zimbabwe by a comfortable 54 runs and retaining their unbeaten record in their warm up matches.
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Ireland v Bangladesh Highlights
July 19th 2012
Highlights from yesterday's 1st RSA Twenty20 International Series match against Bangladesh

































