Death of Barry Bresnihan

OBITUARY:THE DEATH has occurred of former Munster, Ireland and Lions centre Barry Bresnihan. He was 66.

Born in Waterford, Bresnihan attended Gonzaga College in Dublin and played for UCD, where he studied medicine.

First called up by Munster after a string of injuries hit their midfield, Bresnihan impressed from the outset and earned a place on the Possibles side for the Ireland trial game in January 1966.

He was to win his first cap the following month against England, coming into the side as a replacement at inside centre.

Ireland went on to draw 6-6 at Twickenham, and he would score his first international try in the 9-6 victory over Wales at Lansdowne Road. In all he would win 25 caps, scoring five tries.

Bresnihan was called up as a replacement for the 1966 Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand, but did not play in any of the internationals. He was also picked for the 1968 Lions, playing all three Tests against South Africa.

The highlight of his provincial career was in 1967 when he was part of the Munster side that beat the visiting Australians 11-8.

Bresnihan followed his father, Con, into the medical profession, and as a professor at St Vincent’s University Hospital was a world expert on rheumatology.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie, and daughters Niamh, Ciara and Lia and son, Rory.

His funeral Mass will take place at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook tomorrow at 11am.