Ireland's Wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien Calls it Time on International Career

Ireland’s wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O’Brien has decided to call it time on his International career with immediate effect. In fact, O’Brien has also hanged his boots from the First-Class cricket. The Ireland batsman had made his debut against Scotland in 2006 in an ODI match. Thus, O’Brien has decided to call it time after a career of 16 years. He finished as Ireland’s most successful gloveman as he affected 241 dismissals.

Niall O’Brien was also part of Ireland’s historic first Test match against Pakistan earlier in the year. The veteran Irish player said that he took the hard decision with a heavy heart as he played for a long duration.

O’Brien had a fine career for Ireland.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from international and professional cricket,” he said. “I have been blessed to have been lucky enough to have represented my country for 16 years with plenty more ups than downs and for this, I look back with nothing but smiles and laughter.

The keeper gave his gratitude to all the players and coaches who played a key role in his long career. Niall O’Brien said it was a privilege and honour for him to play the game for all these years.

“I would like to thank all my coaches and teammates who along the way have helped me become the player I was. I have had too many coaches to mention them all but a special thanks must go to Adrian “Adi” Birrell who took a chance on me in 2002 and who arranged a trial at Kent from where I started my 14-year county career which was an absolute privilege and an honour.”

Niall O’Brien went on to play 103 One Dayers, 30 T20Is and a solitary Test match for Ireland. He finished as the fifth highest run-getter for Ireland with 3065 runs.

“I always tried to play with a smile on my face and with an enjoyment that I think all people could see whether watching from the stands, standing with me in the field or coming up against me for the opposition. Hard work was always behind my performance and I will take this same ethos into the next phase of my career where I have been working in the Sports Agency business for the last 2 years alongside my playing commitments and will continue to pursue this avenue.

Niall O’Brien scored 9057 runs in the 176 First-Class matches. He also scored 5700 runs in 238 List A matches.