His championship career at senior level with the Cork county team lasted just one season in 1919.
Born in Cork, O'Brien first played competitive hurling with the St Finbarr's club.
During a successful period for the club, he won four county championship medals.
It was a successful season for the team, with O'Brien winning his sole All-Ireland medal that year.
Partial Reference: Cork GAA website Inter-County SHC Results and Teams.