Mark O'Brien (footballer born 1992)

Mark O'Brien

Personal information
Full name	Mark O'Brien
Date of birth	20 November 1992 (1992-11-20) (age 18)
Place of birth	Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Derby County
Number	24
Youth career
2000–2008	Cherry Orchard
2008–2009	Derby County
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2008–	Derby County	19	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:45, 19 November 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Mark O'Brien (born 20 November 1992 in Dublin) 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.^[1]

Career

O'Brien made his debut for Derby County as a 65th minute substitute for Lewin Nyatanga, in a 3–1 defeat away to Watford on 3 May 2009.^[2] 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.^[3] 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^[4] 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.^[5]

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 19 November 2011)

Club	Season	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Derby County	2008–09	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2009–10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2010–11	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	2011–12	16	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	17	0
Career Total		19	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	20	0

References

1. ^ "The Cherry Orchard News". cherryorchardfc.com. 2009-03-20. http://www.cherryorchardfc.com/microsites/a2zsoccer/cherryorchardfc/uploadedfiles/March%20NewsWEB%2009_Orchard.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-15. 
2. ^ "Waford 3–1 Derby". dcfc.co.uk. 2009-05-03. http://www.dcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~44152,00.html. Retrieved 2009-05-03. 
3. ^ "Rams Academy ace O'Brien has heart surgery". Derby Telegraph. 4 November 2009. http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/sport/Rams-Academy-ace-O-Brien-heart-surgery/article-1480006-detail/article.html. Retrieved 4 November 2009. 
4. ^ "O'Brien makes Rams return". DCFC.co.uk. 14 April 2010. http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2024145,00.html?. 
5. ^ "O'Brien Signs New Derby Deal". dcfc.co.uk. 13 September 2011. http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2448710,00.html. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 

External links

• Mark O'Brien career stats at Soccerbase

Persondata
Name	O'Brien, Mark
Alternative names
Short description	Football (soccer) player
Date of birth	20 November 1992
Place of birth	Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Date of death
Place of death