Jay O'Shea

Milton Keynes Dons In July 2011, O'Shea spent some weeks on trial at League One club Milton Keynes Dons, before impressing manager Karl Robinson enough to win a one-year contract with an option for a second year. He scored his first goal at Stadium mk on 20 August, converting a late penalty to make it a 6–2 victory over Chesterfield. His second goal for the club came in a 6–0 beating of non-League Nantwich Town in the FA Cup. He opened the scoring on 24 January 2012 for his third goal of the season, though home side Stevenage then came from behind to beat the Dons 4–2.

Chesterfield In November 2012, O'Shea joined League Two club Chesterfield on loan until 5 January 2013. He scored on his debut, in a 2–0 win over former club Port Vale at Vale Park. After his loan spell expired, he left MK Dons by mutual consent and signed an 18-month contract with Chesterfield. He scored five goals in 19 games in the remainder of the 2012–13 season.

He was named on the Football League Team of the Week after scoring two late goals to secure a 3–1 win at home to Torquay United on 15 February 2014. The following month he played at Wembley Stadium in Chesterfield's 3–1 defeat to Peterborough United in the final of the Football League Trophy. He was included in the Football League Team of the Week for a second time that season after scoring a second-half brace to confirm the 2–0 win at Burton Albion that sealed an automatic promotion place. He scored a total of nine goals in 47 games as the "Spireites" won promotion as divisional champions in 2013–14 and dedicated the title success to a recently deceased friend. He scored seven goals in 41 League One games in the 2014–15 campaign to help Chesterfield to reach the play-off places, where they were beaten by Preston North End at the semi-final stage. He scored nine goals in 51 appearances in the 2015–16 season and was named on the Football League Team of the Week three times: firstly for his brace in a 2–0 win at Millwall on 29 August, secondly for his performance in a 3–2 win over Rochdale on 9 January, and finally for scoring a goal and claiming two goals in a 3–0 win over Bury in the penultimate game of the season.

He was named as EFL League One Player of the Month for November 2016 after scoring four goals and providing two assists, including a brace against Bristol Rovers that won him a place on the EFL Team of the Week. On 24 January 2017, O'Shea joined League One rivals Sheffield United on loan to the end of the 2016–17 season. He scored three goals in ten appearances to help the "Blades" win promotion as champions and was hopeful that manager Chris Wilder would sign him permanently in the summer; ironically his parent club, Chesterfield, were relegated in last place. He was released by Chesterfield upon his return to the Proact Stadium in May 2017.

Bury O'Shea turned down a contract offer from Sheffield United and instead joined League One club Bury on a two-year contract in July 2017. He went straight into the starting eleven for the opening fixture, at home to Walsall, but lasted only 54 minutes before sustaining a medial ligament injury that was expected to keep him out for six weeks. He marked his return to fitness with a goal in a 3–1 victory over Bradford City at Gigg Lane on 14 October. He ended the 2017–18 campaign with four goals in 30 appearances as the "Shakers" were relegated with a last-place finish.

On 17 November, he scored a brace in a 4–0 home win over Stevenage, including a "perfectly executed freekick", to win himself a place on the EFL Team of the Week. He was named as EFL League Two Player of the Month for November 2018 and January 2019, and said that "I've only ever won one of these before this season, so to win two in three months is excellent." On 19 January, he scored a "superb solo goal" in a 2–1 win at Forest Green Rovers that saw him again named on the EFL Team of the Week. On 9 February, he scored a brace in a 3–2 win at Morecambe to earn himself a place on the EFL Team of the Week for the third time that season. After scoring 15 goals in 44 league games he was named on the League Two PFA Team of the Year and the EFL Team of the Season for the 2018–19 campaign, alongside midfield teammate Danny Mayor. Bury went on to secure promotion as runners-up of League Two. In the summer he was strongly linked with a move to Plymouth Argyle, who were managed by former Bury boss Ryan Lowe.

Brisbane Roar On 28 June 2019, O'Shea left England for Australia and signed with A-League club Brisbane Roar, who were managed by former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler. He settled in quickly and was named as the club's Player of the Month for October. He made 24 appearances before the 2019–20 season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. He won the club's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards and signed a new contract in February 2021. Brisbane reached the elimination semi-finals of the finals series in the 2020–21 season, where they were beaten 2–1 by Adelaide United. O'Shea was named as a substitute on the A-League Team of the Season.

O'Shea started all 26 A-League games of the 2021–22 season and was named as an A-Leagues All Star for the game against Barcelona on 25 May. He was named in the PFA A-League Team of the Season for the 2022–23 campaign, having scored nine goals in 24 league games. He signed a two-year contract extension in December 2023. He played 21 games in the 2025–26 campaign, scoring two goals,

International career O'Shea is eligible to represent Ireland or Australia when he obtains citizenship in 2024 after living in the country for 5 years. He has represented Ireland at under-19, under-21, and under-23 levels. He scored on his U21 debut on 28 March 2009, scoring the first goal in a 2–1 win over Spain U21. He made his only appearance for the under-23s on 21 October 2008, in a 2–1 loss to Belgium under-23s at Dalymount Park.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2006

2007

2008

2009

2009–10

2010–11

2009–10 League One

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

2016–17

Sheffield United (loan) 2016–17

2018–19

2019–20

2020–21 Football League Trophy runner-up: 2013–14

Bury EFL League Two second-place promotion: 2018–19

Individual EFL League One Player of the Month: November 2016 2024 Brisbane Roar Gary Wilkins Medal: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2024–25 Brisbane Roar Player's Player of the Year: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25