Brian Lawton (born 9 December 1988) is an Irish hurler who plays as a left wing-forward for club side Castlemartyr, divisional side Imokilly and at inter-county level with the Cork senior hurling team.
Lawton first came to prominence as a hurler with Midleton CBS Secondary School. Having played for various college team in every grade, he was at midfield on the senior team. On 12 March 2006, Lawton won a Harty Cup medal after a 2âÂÂ08 to 0âÂÂ12 defeat of St. Flannan's College.
During his studies at University College Cork, Lawton enjoyed success as a hurler, beginning with an All-Ireland Freshers Championship title in his first year. On 2 March 2013, he won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal after a 2âÂÂ17 to 2âÂÂ12 defeat of Mary Immaculate College in the final.
Lawton joined the Castle martyr club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels. As a member of the club's top adult team, he won four East Cork Junior Championship medals in six seasons. On 26 October 2014, Lawton was at centre-forward when Castlemartyr won the Cork Junior Championship after an 0âÂÂ18 to 0âÂÂ10 defeat of Ballinhassig.
Lawton's performances for his club in the junior grade saw him added to the Imokilly team and he has been a regular member of the team for over a decade. On 22 October 2017, he lined out as right wing-forward in the senior championship final. Lawton scored two points, including a sideline, in Imokilly's 3âÂÂ13 to 0âÂÂ18 defeat of Blackrock.
Lawton first played for Cork at intermediate level and made his first appearance for the team on 31 May 2009 when he came on as a substitute against Tipperary. He later won a Munster medal as a non-playing substitute after a 5âÂÂ24 to 3âÂÂ09 defeat of Waterford in the final. On 29 August 2009, Lawton was an unused substitute when Cork defeated Kilkenny by 2âÂÂ23 to 0âÂÂ16 in the All-Ireland final. He won a second successive Munster medal in 2010, scoring a point after being introduced as a substitute in a second successive defeat of Watreford in the final. On 28 August 2010, Lawton was introduced as a substitute in the 53rd minute of Cork's All-Ireland final defeat by Kilkenny.
Lawton made his senior debut for Cork on 9 March 2014, replacing Conor Lehane in the 53rd minute of a National League game against Offaly at Páirc UàRinn. He made several appearances throughout the league and subsequent championship. On 13 July 2014, Lawton won his first Munster medal as an unused substitute after a six-point defeat of Limeric in the finalk.
On 9 July 2017, Lawton won his second Munster medal following a 1âÂÂ25 to 1âÂÂ20 defeat of Clare in the final.
On 1 July 2018, Lawton won a third Munster medal after a 2âÂÂ24 to 3âÂÂ19 defeat of Clare in the final.