Liam O'Brien (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Liam O'Brien


fullname = Liam O'Brien
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1964|9|5
cityofbirth = Dublin
countryofbirth = Ireland
height = 6 ft 0 in
currentclub =
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1982-1983
1983-1986
1986-1988
1988-1994
1994-1999
1999-2000
2000-2002
clubs = Bohemian F.C.
Shamrock Rovers
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Tranmere Rovers
Cork City F.C.
Bohemian F.C.
caps(goals) = ? (?)
? (?)
31 (2)
151 (19)
181 (12)
? (?)
? (?)
nationalyears = 1986-1992
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 16(0)

Liam O'Brien (b. September 5 1964, Dublin) is a former footballer who played for Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tranmere Rovers and Cork City.

Liam O'Brien began his career with the Schoolboy Club Stella Maris F.C. the renowned nursey in Drumcondra when he finished as a schoolboy he began senior football under Billy Young at Bohemians.

After having won the League of Ireland championship with Shamrock Rovers in 1986 and making 6 appearances in European competition, O'Brien became Ron Atkinson’s last signing as manager of Manchester United when he joined the reds for an initial fee of £50,000 [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/archive/1986/1004/Pg013.html#Ar01307:3533D43813E935330637E35237E3063863523863064063523923D43A03E93A03D43A43E93A43D43DB3E93FE51140A52640A51140D52640D51143352640855A41456F41455A41756F41755A43E56F4085BE4145D34145BE4175D34175BE43D5D3] .

O'Brien made his debut for Alex Ferguson in the 1986/87 season, making nine appearances. The majority of his appearances in the 1987/88 season were as a substitute and that summer, frustrated by lack of first-team opportunities, he joined Newcastle United in a £275,000 move after 36 appearances for United. His career at St James' Park brought mixed fortunes. O'Brien suffered relegation from the top flight in the 1988/89 season. However, he played a major role as Newcastle won the Division One Championship in 1993, making 33 appearances and scoring six goals.

O'Brien found himself surplus to requirements as Newcastle rejoined the top flight and subsequently made a £350,000 move to Tranmere Rovers after a successful loan period. After Tranmere he signed for Cork City F.C. where he played in the UEFA Cup before returning to Bohemians in 2000 as player/coach. He enjoyed some great European nights during this season as Bohs knocked out Aberdeen and beat Kaiserslautern. He also played a part as Bohs won the League and Cup Double before hanging up his boots. He then went on to be assistant manager at Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers.

O'Brien was also a Republic of Ireland international, winning his first cap while still at Shamrock Rovers. In all he won 16 caps as well as an U23 cap and was part of the 1988 European Championship squad. O'Brien is currently assistant manager of Bohemians.

Honours

* League of Ireland Championship: 3
** Shamrock Rovers 1983/84 1984/85 1985/86

* FAI Cup: 2
** Shamrock Rovers 1985, 1986

* Dublin City Cup: 1
** Shamrock Rovers 1983/84

* Leinster Senior Cup (football): 1
** Shamrock Rovers 1985

*PFAI Young Player of the Year:
** Shamrock Rovers - 1985/86

*LFA Presidents Cups: 1
** Shamrock Rovers - 1986/87

* Old Second Division: 1
** Newcastle United - 1992-93