Paddy "Hands" O'Brien (1925 – 26 March 2016) was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a full-back for the Meath senior team.
Born in Skryne, County Meath, O'Brien was introduced to Gaelic football at Skryne National School under the tutelage of schoolmaster Brian Smyth. Gaelic football competitions were curtailed during the Emergency, however, he made his senior début with the Skryne club in 1942. A two-time championship medal winner with Skryne, O'Brien also enjoyed championship success with Seán MCDermotts in Dublin.
O'Brien made his senior début during the 1944 Leinster League. He went on to play a key role during a golden age for Meath, and won two All-Ireland medals, five Leinster medals and two National League medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.
As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team, O'Brien won three Railway Cup medals. He retired from inter-county football following the conclusion of the 1955 championship.
O'Brien is widely regarded as one of the greatest Gaelic footballers in the history of the game. He has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at full-back on the Gaelic Football Team of the Century in 1984 and the Gaelic Football Team of the Millennium in 2000.
O'Brien made his senior championship début with Skryne in 1942. He was at corner-forward that year as Skryne faced Donaghmore in the decider. A 1-8 to 0-2 defeat was the result on that occasion.
- Skryne
- Seán McDermotts
- Meath
- Leinster
