The inspirational O’Brien was one of his side’s two try scorers in the 25-21 triumph over Aberavon that won the Indigo Group Premiership Cup at Principality Stadium yesterday.
It was a victory that ended a run of two successive league defeats that halted the club’s unbeaten record and allowed Cardiff to creep back into the title race and take over at the top. But if Merthyr beat them on Thursday night then it is all up for grabs at Carmarthen Quins.
“We were desperate to win some silverware. We need things to go our way on Thursday night to win the league, but you can’t rely on Cardiff slipping up,” said O’Brien.
“If they win the league, then so be it. We’ve had a good season coming second and winning a cup, so we’ll just enjoy today and worry about the league after Thursday.
“I’m on top of the world after beating Aberavon – absolutely buzzing. It was a nail biter, a proper cup tie, especially in that second half.
“We made it hard for ourselves by losing a line-out in the last 10 seconds when all we had to do was take it and kick it out. I’m just happy to have come out on the right side and I’m just so pleased for the players, staff and supporters.
“It was like a home game at the Principality Stadium and this wins puts to right what happened here four years ago when we last reached a final. So yeah, I’m just on top of the world.
“Our fans are absolutely top-class coming week in, week out and they deserve it. We’ve been through some tough times in the last couple of seasons with all the off-field stuff that’s going on.”
Full back David Richards was named as the man of the match by Shane Williams for his solid play at the back and his constant threat on the counter-attack. It was his break into the Aberavon 22 that paved the way for O’Brien’s crucial try that regained the lead moments after the Wizards had hit the front.
“We knew Aberavon were going to come hard in the first 20 minutes of the second half and they did. We stuck with it and managed to see them out in the end.“It was a tight one, as it always is against Aberavon. We’re just happy to get the win.”
For Newport’s head coach, Ty Morris, it was a sweet moment. Like everyone else he will be praying for some divine intervention on Thursday night at the Arms Park where either a draw or win for Merthyr against arch-rivals Cardiff will give his side a chance of adding more silverware.
“It has been a really hard season and I’m super-pleased for everyone. We’ve moved from Rodney Parade over to Spytty Park and the fans came with us en bloc,” said Morris.
“They were loud all game and have been our 16th man all season. It would be fantastic to have the double, but it is out of our hands – we have to pray for a Merthyr win on Thursday.”
