| Country: | Ireland |
| Fullname: | Robin O'Brien |
| Birth Date: | 20 November 1932 |
| Birth Place: | Shillong, Assam, British India |
| Death Place: | Biddenden, Kent, England |
| Batting: | Right-handed |
| Bowling: | Right-arm off break |
| Club1: | Cambridge University |
| Year1: | 1954 - 1956 |
| Club2: | Ireland |
| Year2: | 1954 - 1958 |
| Club3: | Marylebone Cricket Club |
| Year3: | 1958 |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | First-class |
| Matches1: | 40 |
| Runs1: | 1,609 |
| Bat Avg1: | 22.66 |
| 100S/50S1: | 2/5 |
| Top Score1: | 146 |
| Deliveries1: | 6 |
| Wickets1: | 0 |
| Bowl Avg1: | – |
| Fivefor1: | – |
| Tenfor1: | – |
| Best Bowling1: | – |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | 10/– |
| Date: | 21 October |
| Year: | 2018 |
| Source: | http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/content/player/24481.html Cricinfo |
Robin O'Brien (20 November 1932 - 26 August 1959) was an Irish first-class cricketer.
O'Brien was born at Shillong in British India to Brigadier Brian Palliser O'Brien and Elinor Laura O'Brien.[1] He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, where he played for the cricket eleven from 1948 - 1952.[1] Upon completing his studies, he went up to the University of Cambridge, where he studied economics before switching to law.[1]
While studying at Cambridge, he made his debut in first-class cricket for Cambridge University Cricket Club against Lancashire at Fenner's in 1954.[2] He played six first-class matches for Cambridge University in 1954, in addition to making his debut for Ireland in first-class matches, when he played against Scotland at Paisley.[2] O'Brien played first-class cricket for Cambridge University until 1956, making a total of 35 appearances.[2] Across his 35 first-class matches for the university, O'Brien scored 1,418 runs at an average of 22.87.[3]
His most prolific season was in 1956, when he scored 796 runs, second only to Ted Dexter.[1] He also scored both of his first-class centuries in this season,[4] with 107 against Lancashire and 146 against Oxford University.[5] In addition to his 35 first-class matches for Cambridge University, O'Brien also played four for Ireland to 1958,[2] scoring 164 runs and registering one half century.[3] He also made one first-class appearance for the Marylebone Cricket Club against Cambridge University in 1958.[2] He gained his cricket blue in 1955, also winning blues in field hockey and golf.[1] O'Brien undertook his National Service with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps while at Cambridge, serving with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
He left Cambridge without achieving a degree, but nonetheless was employed in the city by Henry Gardner and Co Ltd.[1] O'Brien fell ill in 1959 and was diagnosed with leukemia.[1] Despite having surgery he succumbed to the disease in August 1959.[6] [1] His brother is the theatre designer Timothy O'Brien.[1] [7]