Ireland defender Jake O'Brien takes the positives from having type 1 diabetes
O'Brien, who was a talented hurler and won an underage national boxer title, did not what the future held for him when diagnosed with diabetes at 16
Ireland defender Jake O'Brien has told how his diabetes diagnosis ended up kickstarting his football career.
O'Brien's stock has been rising every year since making the move from Cork City to join Crystal Palace in 2021.
Loans spells at Swindon Town and Belgian side RWD Molenbeek followed before his impressive form saw him secure a move to French giants Lyon.
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The Youghal man quickly established himself in the French side before Everton came calling this summer for the 6'6" centre back.
But O'Brien, who was a talented hurler and won an underage national boxer title, did not know what the future held for him when diagnosed with diabetes.
O'Brien said: "I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 16. It was around March time.
"I was just kind of ill. I was losing a lot of weight. I was very tired. I was drinking maybe eight or nine litres of water a day. I obviously realised something wasn't right.
"I went to the doctors and they sent me up to the hospital and they diagnosed me with it. My pancreas basically doesn't work, it doesn't produce insulin.
"It's a genetic thing, I suppose, but no one in my family had ever had it so I was the first to get it."
There was a quick learning curve for O'Brien in order to understand his condition, but now he sees his acute awareness of his body's functions as advantageous.
"For me it was positive, because when I was diagnosed is when things started to click for me. I got physically bigger, fitter and since having it, I have progressed through the ranks in football quicker.
"I think people overcomplicate it and think, 'you can't eat this, you can't eat'. But I can eat everything, I can do everything that everyone else can.
"It's just counting the carbohydrates in the food I eat and then based on that how much I eat is how much insulin I'd inject into my body.
"Sometimes it's not perfect and can be time-consuming, but it's something you get used to."
O'Brien, 23, has joined former Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez and former Ireland international Alan Kernaghan as professional footballers who have lived with Type 1 diabetes.
But the Everton defender does not let it hold him back - if anything it keeps him disciplined and more focused on his fitness.
"When you first realise you have it, you worry that you can't do this or you can't do that.
"But you can do anything any other player is doing. You just have to look after your body and in a sense you have a great knowledge of what goes into your body and how it affects your body.
"You become more in touch with your body and how it feels."
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