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Mark O'Brien (footballer born 1992)
Encyclopedia
Mark O'Brien is a Republic of Ireland youth international footballer who plays as a central defender for Derby County
. His older brother Jamie O'Brien
is also a professional footballer. Both Mark and Jamie came through the ranks of Cherry Orchard Football Club
in Dublin.
, in a 3–1 defeat away to Watford
on 3 May 2009. He was named Derby County scholar of the year at a club awards ceremony two days later.
In November 2009 it was announced by Derby County that O'Brien had successfully undergone heart surgery to correct a valve problem, and that he would be able to resume his career following a three to four month recovery period. The problem had been discovered during a routine medical scan for academy players. He returned to football action just six months later, as he played 45 minutes in an Academy friendly against Wallsend Boys Club on 13 April 2010 and was an unused substitute in Derby's final first team game of the 2009/10 season as they ran out 2–0 winners against Cardiff City
at Pride Park
.
On the 6 August 2011, O'Brien made an apparence in the first game of 2011–12 season against Birmingham City
, replacing the injured Russell Anderson
in the 35th minute. The Rams won the game 2-1, with O'Brien gaining praise for his performance. O'Brien continued to start the subsequent league games against Watford
, Blackpool
and Doncaster Rovers
, as Derby won their opening first four games of a league season in 63 years. However this run was ended against Burnley
, as an O'Brien defensive error contributed to a 2-1 defeat.
On 13 September 2011, O'Brien signed a new four-year contract, extending his stay at Pride Park until the summer of 2015.
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. His older brother Jamie O'Brien
Jamie O'Brien (footballer)
James "Jamie" O'Brien is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Longford Town. He made his debut in the Football League for Bradford City in August 2009. He has represented Ireland at all levels up to under-19.-Early life:...
is also a professional footballer. Both Mark and Jamie came through the ranks of Cherry Orchard Football Club
Cherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an Irish football club founded in 1957 known locally as "the Orchard." The club is one of the biggest producers of talent in Ireland. They are linked with Manchester City. Their main rival is Crumlin United, for whom Robbie Keane played at schoolboy level. The club...
in Dublin.
Career
O'Brien made his debut for Derby County as a 65th minute substitute for Lewin NyatangaLewin Nyatanga
Lewin John Nyatanga is a Welsh footballer who plays for Bristol City and the Wales national team as a defender.-Derby County:...
, in a 3–1 defeat away to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on 3 May 2009. He was named Derby County scholar of the year at a club awards ceremony two days later.
In November 2009 it was announced by Derby County that O'Brien had successfully undergone heart surgery to correct a valve problem, and that he would be able to resume his career following a three to four month recovery period. The problem had been discovered during a routine medical scan for academy players. He returned to football action just six months later, as he played 45 minutes in an Academy friendly against Wallsend Boys Club on 13 April 2010 and was an unused substitute in Derby's final first team game of the 2009/10 season as they ran out 2–0 winners against Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
at Pride Park
Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997...
.
On the 6 August 2011, O'Brien made an apparence in the first game of 2011–12 season against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, replacing the injured Russell Anderson
Russell Anderson
Russell James Anderson is a Scottish footballer who plays for Championship side Derby County as a cente back...
in the 35th minute. The Rams won the game 2-1, with O'Brien gaining praise for his performance. O'Brien continued to start the subsequent league games against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
and Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, as Derby won their opening first four games of a league season in 63 years. However this run was ended against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, as an O'Brien defensive error contributed to a 2-1 defeat.
On 13 September 2011, O'Brien signed a new four-year contract, extending his stay at Pride Park until the summer of 2015.
Achievements
- Derby County Academy Player of the Year – 2008/09
- Republic of Ireland U-16 Player of the Year – 2008/09
Statistics
(correct as of 26 November 2011)| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
2008–09 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 2009–10 in English football The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 in English football The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Career Total | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||