FIPPA Newsletter - December 2007.
Welcome to this edition of the FIPPA Newsletter.
Paul O'Brien - DELIGHT OF AN IRISH DEBUTANT
Paul O’Brien was still in a state of high excitement when he spoke to FIPPA News shortly after helping his country to victory in the fifth European championship.
“Oh what a week! We all enjoyed ourselves over in Chia. I have to say it was probably the best time of my life,” is the young Co.Tipperary native’s assessment of his first competitive outing for Ireland (he did face the Dutch in the friendly at Papendal in October 2006).
A personable outgoing figure on the Irish Pitch and Putt circuit, Paul revelled in the friendly competitive atmosphere of a top-class international Pitch and Putt championship at the Chia Laguna resort. “I thoroughly enjoyed the event and meeting new friends like we did.”
Paul O’Brien has contended at the top level of the sport in Ireland (he led the 2005 Irish Strokeplay championship into the final round before finishing fifth) but the 2007 European team championship presented fresh challenges. “I have to say that I was very nervous about making my debut as I knew it would bring new pressures but I really enjoyed it and I felt I did myself and my country proud.” He was pretty emotional at the Sunday night Closing Ceremony and prize presentation. “It was very satisfying singing the National Anthem as the last time I did that was on the hurling (Irish native sport) field in a County Final back in 2004!”
Now that the 2007 Irish Matchplay runner-up (to international colleague Ray Murphy) has feasted at the international table, he wants to stick around. “It was indeed an honour and a privilege to be part of the team and I hope to represent Ireland again. I hope to be back at World Cup next year in Papendal.” Paul is impressed that all the holes on the course where he took his international bow in 2006 are named after Irish courses. “My favourite is Majestic - the 14th - where the trees make the pitch very difficult.”
Paul O'Brien
“Juel of Norway (opposite whom Paul played an exciting halved foursomes match in the European quarter-final) will be a great player,” attests Paul, who is convinced that the standard of play internationally gets better year on year. Paul would definitely have an eye for a promising young player, having won three Munster Juvenile Matchplay championships in a row (1994 – 1996) and the provincial Juvenile Strokeplay championship in 1996.
The youngest member of the 2007 team was one of the most determined. Disappointed to lose the foursomes (with Liam O’Donovan) in the European final against Catalans Marc Lloret and Joan Poch, he was in no mood to be trifled with in the singles against Poch, whom Paul beat by 7&6. He fired eight birdies in twelve holes in that match, the most impressive of those coming at the difficult eighth hole. “It took all I had to get to it – no. 8. The putts fell for a change,” is Paul’s clinical summary.
Paul certainly didn’t lack for family support – His mother’s legendary cry of “G’wan Paul” has been heard all over Ireland for years. Now Europe has had a taste. His father Michael (who runs a clothing firm) sponsored some of the Irish team’s very attractive playing attire for the week. Michael has also produced a souvenir DVD of Ireland’s fifth successive Euro success. Both his sisters also attended – Christine surviving lots of mosquito bites to cheer her brother to European championship success. “My family flew Ryanair to Alghero to support us. That was great.”
Only slight flipside for the Lakeside (Templemore) player. “To be honest I expected the course to be better and I was disappointed there weren’t any teeboxes. However, I knew about the tees in advance and was able to practise accordingly.” The practice paid off. Paul was nine under for the Strokeplay qualifier and picked-up four points out of six in the Matchplay.
The man who was adult Munster Matchplay champion in 2005 and who helped Tipperary to second place in the 2005 Irish Inter-County championship will look back on the year 2007 with fondness. “All in all, Pitch and Putt is now over for yet another year but one has to feel, what a great way to end it. I have to say I really savoured this weekend and one I had visions of coming my way since I was a young juvenile. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
Paul O’Brien has been a constant at Pitch and Putt’s top level ever since he emerged at the Irish Juvenile championship at Fermoy in 1992 when his clubs were almost as big as himself! He still uses the same putter fifteen years on and the fact that it has taken him until now to vault to the international stage is a tribute to the quality of players on the Irish circuit and to his own perseverance.
(with John Manning)
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