Mark O'Brien (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Mark O'Brien is an Irish
footballer who currently plays for Drogheda United in the League of Ireland Premier Division
.
O'Brien is a central midfielder and comes from a footballing background as his father Derek
played for Shamrock Rovers from 1981 to 1983 and his uncles Fran
and Ray
both played for Ireland. His younger brother Colin
played alongside him at Shelbourne.
making his debut on the May 7, 2003 in a League of Ireland Cup tie against Bray Wanderers
. He impressed enough to win the Young Player of the Year at the club in 2004.
O'Brien then signed for bitter rivals Bohemians
for the 2005 season and he made his debut for Bohs against his former club Shamrock Rovers on March 18, 2005 at Dalymount Park
. He never showed the same form at Bohemians and midway through the 2006 season, he returned to Shamrock Rovers on loan where he helped the Hoops to the First Division title. After his loan spell finished at the end of the 2006 season, he returned to Bohemians but had failed to appear for the first team during the 2007 season only making under-21 appearances.
In need to re-start his flagging career, O'Brien departed Bohemians to sign on loan for nearby rivals Shelbourne
in July 2007. Mark made his Shelbourne debut on July 6, 2007 against Wexford Youths
at Tolka Park
in a 1-0 win for Shels and he scored his first Shels goal during a 4-1 victory over Athlone Town at Lissywoollen on October 12, 2007.
O'Brien permanently joined Shelbourne
on November 29, 2007. He finished as a First Division runner-up with Shelbourne in both 2008 and 2009 as Shelbourne narrowly missed out on promotion during both seasons. O'Brien was released by Shelbourne following the conclusion of the 2009 season. In his 3 seasons at Shelbourne he made 85 league and cup appearances scoring 5 goals. In March 2010 O'Brien returned to football signing for Bray Wanderers
. He scored twice on his Bray debut in the EA Sports Cup against Drogheda United but failed to hold down a first team place after this. O'Brien parted company with Bray Wanderers in July 2010 after making 5 appearances for the club. On 27 August 2010, O'Brien returned to Shelbourne after training with the club for a number of weeks.
Prior to the start of the 2011 League of Ireland
season, O'Brien joined Drogheda United. His first goal for the Drogs was the winner in a 2-1 win over Galway United on 26 May 2011, their first win of the season.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer who currently plays for Drogheda United in the League of Ireland Premier Division
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
.
O'Brien is a central midfielder and comes from a footballing background as his father Derek
Derek O'Brien (footballer born 1957)
Derek O'Brien was an Irish soccer player who played in the League of Ireland during the 1980s.O'Brien was a right back who played for Boston United, Bohemians, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Athlone Town, Longford Town and Home Farm F.C.. He represented Ireland at youth level and won a league winners...
played for Shamrock Rovers from 1981 to 1983 and his uncles Fran
Fran O'Brien (footballer)
Fran O'Brien was an Irish soccer player during the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first player to be capped for the Republic of Ireland playing in U.S., earning a total of four caps.-Player:...
and Ray
Ray O'Brien
Ray O'Brien is an Irish former professional football player. He was born in Dublin.He began his career with Shelbourne before transferring to Manchester United.He was then transferred to Notts County F.C...
both played for Ireland. His younger brother Colin
Colin O'Brien (footballer born 1990)
Colin O'Brien is an Irish footballer currently playing for League of Ireland Premier Division side Drogheda United. O'Brien is as a midfielder...
played alongside him at Shelbourne.
Career
O'Brien played for Belvedere at youth level and made several appearances at under-age level for Ireland. He began his senior career at Shamrock RoversShamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
making his debut on the May 7, 2003 in a League of Ireland Cup tie against Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname...
. He impressed enough to win the Young Player of the Year at the club in 2004.
O'Brien then signed for bitter rivals Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
for the 2005 season and he made his debut for Bohs against his former club Shamrock Rovers on March 18, 2005 at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
. He never showed the same form at Bohemians and midway through the 2006 season, he returned to Shamrock Rovers on loan where he helped the Hoops to the First Division title. After his loan spell finished at the end of the 2006 season, he returned to Bohemians but had failed to appear for the first team during the 2007 season only making under-21 appearances.
In need to re-start his flagging career, O'Brien departed Bohemians to sign on loan for nearby rivals Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
in July 2007. Mark made his Shelbourne debut on July 6, 2007 against Wexford Youths
Wexford Youths F.C.
Wexford Youths Football Club are an Irish football club from Wexford who compete in the Airtricity League First Division. The club joined the league after being awarded a First Division licence for the 2007 season. The opportunity to join the League of Ireland arose as Dublin City became bankrupt...
at Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
in a 1-0 win for Shels and he scored his first Shels goal during a 4-1 victory over Athlone Town at Lissywoollen on October 12, 2007.
O'Brien permanently joined Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
on November 29, 2007. He finished as a First Division runner-up with Shelbourne in both 2008 and 2009 as Shelbourne narrowly missed out on promotion during both seasons. O'Brien was released by Shelbourne following the conclusion of the 2009 season. In his 3 seasons at Shelbourne he made 85 league and cup appearances scoring 5 goals. In March 2010 O'Brien returned to football signing for Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname...
. He scored twice on his Bray debut in the EA Sports Cup against Drogheda United but failed to hold down a first team place after this. O'Brien parted company with Bray Wanderers in July 2010 after making 5 appearances for the club. On 27 August 2010, O'Brien returned to Shelbourne after training with the club for a number of weeks.
Prior to the start of the 2011 League of Ireland
2011 League of Ireland
The Premier Division consists of ten teams. Each team plays every other team four times, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 36 matches.-Teams:...
season, O'Brien joined Drogheda United. His first goal for the Drogs was the winner in a 2-1 win over Galway United on 26 May 2011, their first win of the season.
Honours
- League of Ireland First Division: 1
- Shamrock Rovers - 2006