In-demand Sean O'Brien available to play in Carlow junior football final

Former Ireland rugby international Sean O'Brien will swap the oval ball for a round one when he lines out in the Carlow Junior A football final on Saturday.

The former Leinster and Lions back row finished up as a professional in 2022 and assumed the role as Leinster skills coach last season, but will be back on the football field for his GAA club, the Fighting Cocks, when they take on St Mullins for the right to play intermediate football next season.

The Tullow Tank missed the club’s semi-final win over Ballon last Friday because of his coaching involvement with Leinster against Ulster in Navan, but is available for selection this weekend.

Last year the Cocks held onto their junior A status after coming through relegation final against Bagenalstown Gaels. With Tony Bolger at the helm this year, club fortunes have spiralled upwards, with O'Brien playing his part in the full-forward line.

Stationed at the edge of the square, the 36-year-old played in two of the three qualifying games, scoring five points in total as The Cocks topped their group and ensured themselves an automatic semi-final place.

O’Brien will be a star attraction at Netwatch Cullen Park (throw-in 2pm), but team manager Bolger is keeping his cards close to his chest.

"Sean will play some part but I am not going to confirm whether he will start," he said.

It has been a busy time for O’Brien on the playing front, as he lined out for Tullow RFC in their opening two games of the Leinster League.

They currently lead the way in Division 1A, but will be without the 56-cap international as he has been cleared for Gaelic football duties.