Ray O'Brien is an Irish former professional football player. He was born in Dublin.

He began his career with 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....

 before transferring to Manchester United.

He was then transferred to Notts County F.C.

Notts County F.C.

Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...

 for £45,000 without making the first team at Old Trafford.

At Meadow Lane he created a club record in 1979/80 when he became the first full back to finish as leading scorer. He spent ten years at County making over 300 Football League appearances.

He also won four caps for the Republic of Ireland national football team

Republic of Ireland national football team

The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....

, making his debut on 24 March 1976 in a 3-0 home win over Norway in a friendly game.

His brother Fran O'Brien

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:...

also played for his country.

Sources

• The Complete Who's Who of Irish International Football, 1945-96 (1996):Stephen McGarrigle

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1851588949

• Gifted in Green, Adam Ward, 1999. PB ISBN 0-600-59739-3 p. 23
• Ray O'Brien's profile at worldfootball.net