Mark O'Brien

Mark Leo O'Brien (born 20 November 1992) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played in the English Football League for Derby County, Luton Town and Newport County and in the Scottish Premiership for Motherwell.

Club career Derby County O'Brien started his career at Cherry Orchard, before he was spotted by Derby County scouts in the Dublin & District Schoolboy League.

After signing for Derby, O'Brien became a regular in the club's under-18 team in 2008–09, The operation was carried out at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital.

In 2010–11, O'Brien returned to being a regular in the club's under-18 team O'Brien appeared twice for the first-team, both as late substitutes in league games against Barnsley and Ipswich Town in October and November 2010 respectively. O'Brien continued to start in subsequent league games against Watford, Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers, However, this run was ended against Burnley, as an O'Brien defensive error contributed to a 2–1 defeat. On 13 September, O'Brien signed a new four-year contract, extending his stay at Pride Park until the summer of 2015. He made 21 appearances for the club until he was ruled out for the season in December, after damaging his cruciate ligaments in training. O'Brien won the Contribution to the Community Award at Derby County's 2012 awards night. and after the sale of Jason Shackell, Derby manager Nigel Clough stated his faith in O'Brien's ability at Championship level. He returned to full training after Derby arrived back from their summer break at Moor Farm on 12 July. O'Brien made his return in a 1–0 pre-season victory over Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium, replacing captain Richard Keogh in the 77th minute. Nigel Clough said he would be cautious over O'Brien's return to action, initially with the new under-21 team. He made his return to first-team action 10 months after his last appearance on 27 October as a 72nd-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat away to Peterborough United. O'Brien made his return to the starting lineup for the first time in 13 months in Derby's 2–0 win over Bristol City on 15 December. His "unbelievable character" during the match was praised by manager Nigel Clough as he played 87 minutes in the game and was a key factor in Derby's first clean sheet in seven games. O'Brien was removed from the starting lineup and was later ruled out for a month due to knee joint injury. In late March, O'Brien was ruled out for a further six months after undergoing knee surgery. O'Brien, as expected, missed the 2013–14 pre-season training due to his injury, but was on course to return in the autumn.

On 15 August 2014, O'Brien signed for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on loan until January 2015. He made his debut on 30 August in Motherwell's 1–0 defeat to St Johnstone. On 5 January 2015, O'Brien's loan was extended until the end of the season. He played a total of 21 games for Motherwell over the course of 2014–15.

Luton Town O'Brien signed for League Two club Luton Town on 9 July 2015 on a two-year contract. He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 win at home to newly promoted Championship club Bristol City in the League Cup first round on 11 August. O'Brien made eight further appearances for Luton, He made his debut the following day in a 1–0 home defeat to F.C. Halifax Town. He was transfer-listed by Luton at the end of the season. O'Brien returned to Southport on 9 September 2016 on a three-month loan. He made his second debut for the club a day later in a 1–1 away draw with Eastleigh. However, his loan spell was cut short due to a knee injury and he returned to Luton for treatment.

Newport County On 6 January 2017, O'Brien signed for League Two club Newport County on a contract until the end of the 2016–17 season, after his Luton contract was terminated by mutual consent earlier that day. He was named in the starting lineup a day later away to Stevenage, making his debut in a 3–1 defeat. His first goal was an 89th-minute winner in a 2–1 victory at home to Notts County, which ensured Newport's survival in League Two on the final day of the season. O'Brien finished the season with 20 appearances for Newport, He started in the 2019 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019, being sent off on 89 minutes, as Newport lost 1–0 to Tranmere Rovers. O'Brien signed a further two-year contract extension with Newport five days later.

O'Brien retired from playing on 15 June 2020, due to requiring further heart valve surgery, stating "It's just got to the stage where I have pushed this valve as far as it can go".

International career O'Brien has been capped at youth level for his native Ireland, at under-19 level. O'Brien was called up as standby at under-21 level for a game against Liechtenstein in November 2011. Championship

2009–10 Championship

2010–11 Championship

2011–12 Championship

2012–13 Championship

2013–14 Championship

2014–15 Scottish Premiership

2015–16 League Two

2016–17 National League

2016–17 League Two

2017–18 League Two

2018–19 League Two

2019–20 League Two

Honours Derby County The Central League Central Division: 2010–11

Individual Derby County Academy Player of the Year: 2008–09 Republic of Ireland Under-16 Player of the Year: 2008–09 Derby County Community to the Club Award: 2011–12