Jake O’Brien has faced some of the biggest names in world football, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Bruno Fernandes. He represents Ireland at senior international level and plays in the Premier League, the most watched club competition in the world. Standing six foot six, he is a picture of health and athleticism, yet he also lives with Type 1 diabetes.
Jake was 16 when he first noticed he was losing weight and feeling tired most of the time. He was constantly thirsty, sometimes drinking up to eight litres of water a day, and was going to the toilet far more often than usual. A visit to his GP in his hometown of Youghal in Co. Cork led to an immediate referral to hospital, where he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Now aged 23, Jake has built an impressive professional career. Since this interview was conducted, he has signed for Premier League club Everton following a successful season with Olympique Lyonnais in France. He is now based in the Liverpool area and continues to represent Ireland at senior international level.
Reflecting on his early career, Jake puts much of his success down to not viewing diabetes as a barrier.
“I took it on as a positive. It did not really change much of what I was doing anyway,” he says. “At that age, the most annoying thing was carrying all the equipment around with me, and I found myself hiding it when going to matches.”
Over time, Jake became more comfortable managing his diabetes at school and around teammates.
“I never thought too much about it because I did not want to let it hold me back or make me feel different. I just have to prepare more. People always ask what I can eat, but it is about learning how my body reacts compared to other people’s.”
At the age of 19, Jake moved abroad to sign for Crystal Palace in South London. At first, he continued to rely on his diabetes team in Ireland and collected prescriptions during visits home to Cork.
“It was during Covid, so it was difficult to get a doctor or prescription, and it was not what I was used to in Ireland. It was easier for my mum to get the prescription and bring it over to me.”
These days, Jake is under the care of a consultant in Manchester who works with several professional athletes living with Type 1 diabetes. He also has the support of highly qualified medical teams at Everton and with the Ireland set up. Despite this, he prefers to take personal responsibility for managing his condition.
“There is good awareness when you move clubs and the doctors always know your situation. They have sugary snacks and backup prescriptions just in case, but I prefer to manage it myself because I know my own body and what works for me.”
ake has more than five seasons of professional football experience, including a loan spell in Belgium and a season in France. This experience has helped shape how he prepares for training sessions and match days.
“Diet wise, I eat fairly normally most of the week. When it gets closer to a match, especially on a Friday, I increase carbohydrates to make sure I am properly fuelled.”
Through preparation, discipline and a positive mindset, Jake has taken life with diabetes in his stride and built a career at the highest level of the game. In November 2024, he marked his first World Diabetes Day as a Diabetes Ireland ambassador, using his platform to encourage others living with diabetes.
“Today we recognise the strength, resilience and determination of everyone living with diabetes. I know firsthand the challenges, but it is nothing that should hold you back. Whether that is on the pitch like me or in everyday life, you are doing amazing. Stay positive and remember to live life to the fullest.”
