Danny O’Brien competed in the men’s lightweight boxing at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, winning his opening bout with a dominant display before losing to the eventual silver medallist Sandro Lopopolo of Italy in his second contest.

O’Brien’s opening bout against Cuba’s Esteban Aguilera was a tour de force – described by contemporary Irish reports as a clinical and composed performance in which he methodically took apart his opponent throughout the bout.

He competed as one of the newcomers on the Irish boxing team and was one of several Irish boxers to win their first bout at the Rome Games.