Jamie O'Brien (footballer)
Encyclopedia
James "Jamie" O'Brien is an Irish
footballer who plays as a midfielder
for Longford Town
. He made his debut in the Football League
for Bradford City
in August 2009. He has represented Ireland
at all levels up to under-19.
district. His younger brother Mark
and cousin Cliff Byrne
are also professional footballers.
. In the summer of 2006 he moved to England to take up a scholarship with Birmingham City
. After only one year with the club, during which he was part of the youth team
which reached the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup
, he signed a two-year professional contract. He played regularly for Birmingham's reserve team
and was an unused substitute as they won the Birmingham Senior Cup
in 2008. O'Brien joined Conference North
side Solihull Moors
on a month's loan
in January 2009, but the loan was interrupted when the player sustained a pelvic injury a couple of weeks later.
After his contract with Birmingham expired, O'Brien spent pre-season with League Two
club Bradford City
, he impressed during trials scoring on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Burnley, and on 4 August 2009 signed a three-month contract. He made his professional debut for Bradford on 12 August as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 loss against Nottingham Forest
in the League Cup
. His debut in the Football League
came three days later as a late substitute in the goalless draw at home to Port Vale
. O'Brien scored his first goal for Bradford on 22 August, in a 5–4 victory away at Cheltenham Town
. Due to having surgery O'Brien has been restricted to substitute appearances.
O'Brien signed a new 18-month contract with Bradford City on 29 October, but was released on 26 July 2010, 10 months early. He subsequently returned to his native Dublin where he signed for his boyhood club St Patrick's Athletic
.
He signed for Longford Town
in July 2011.
player, O'Brien captained Ireland's under-16 side. According to his manager Vincent Butler, he was "excellent for us this season and in most of our matches was the best player on the pitch", and his performances with that team earned him the eircom
/FAI
Under-16 International Player of the Year award. He graduated to the under-17s, missing out on the elite qualifying round of the 2007 UEFA Under-17 championships
through injury, under-18s, and, in the 2008–09 season, to the under-19s.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer who plays as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
. He made his debut in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in August 2009. He has represented Ireland
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....
at all levels up to under-19.
Early life
O'Brien was born in Dublin and raised in the BallyfermotBallyfermot
Ballyfermot is a suburb in the city of Dublin.Celebrities such as the famous Furey Brothers and the brilliant Keenan family have all resided in Ballyfermot.Ireland, located 7 kilometres due west from the city centre, and to the south of the Phoenix Park...
district. His younger brother Mark
Mark O'Brien (footballer born 1992)
Mark O'Brien 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...
and cousin Cliff Byrne
Cliff Byrne
Clifford "Cliff" Byrne is an Irish footballer, currently playing for Scunthorpe United.Born in Dublin, Byrne previously played for Sunderland.He took part in a UEFA 'B' coaching course in summer 2005....
are also professional footballers.
Club career
O'Brien began his football career with Ballyfermot club Cherry OrchardCherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an Irish football club founded in 1957 known locally as "the Orchard." The club is one of the biggest producers of talent in Ireland. They are linked with Manchester City. Their main rival is Crumlin United, for whom Robbie Keane played at schoolboy level. The club...
. In the summer of 2006 he moved to England to take up a scholarship with Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. After only one year with the club, during which he was part of the youth team
Birmingham City F.C. Reserves and Academy
Birmingham City F.C. Reserves and Academy are the reserve team and the youth development system respectively of Birmingham City Football Club. The reserve team, established in 1879, played in the Premier Reserve League South in the 2009–10 season but have not entered a league since...
which reached the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
, he signed a two-year professional contract. He played regularly for Birmingham's reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
and was an unused substitute as they won the Birmingham Senior Cup
Birmingham Senior Cup
The Birmingham Senior Cup is a football competition for Birmingham County FA club teams, organized by the Birmingham County Football Association...
in 2008. O'Brien joined Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Solihull Moors
Solihull Moors F.C.
Solihull Moors F.C. is an English football club, founded in 2007 by the merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough.The club plays its games at Damson Park, Solihull and competes in the Conference North.-History:...
on a month's loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
in January 2009, but the loan was interrupted when the player sustained a pelvic injury a couple of weeks later.
After his contract with Birmingham expired, O'Brien spent pre-season with League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, he impressed during trials scoring on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Burnley, and on 4 August 2009 signed a three-month contract. He made his professional debut for Bradford on 12 August as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 loss against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. His debut in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
came three days later as a late substitute in the goalless draw at home to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. O'Brien scored his first goal for Bradford on 22 August, in a 5–4 victory away at Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
. Due to having surgery O'Brien has been restricted to substitute appearances.
O'Brien signed a new 18-month contract with Bradford City on 29 October, but was released on 26 July 2010, 10 months early. He subsequently returned to his native Dublin where he signed for his boyhood club St Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
.
He signed for Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
in July 2011.
International career
While a Cherry OrchardCherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an Irish football club founded in 1957 known locally as "the Orchard." The club is one of the biggest producers of talent in Ireland. They are linked with Manchester City. Their main rival is Crumlin United, for whom Robbie Keane played at schoolboy level. The club...
player, O'Brien captained Ireland's under-16 side. According to his manager Vincent Butler, he was "excellent for us this season and in most of our matches was the best player on the pitch", and his performances with that team earned him the eircom
Eircom
Eircom Group LTD is a telecommunications company in the Republic of Ireland, and a former state-owned incumbent. It is currently the largest telecommunications operator in the Republic of Ireland and operates primarily on the island of Ireland, with a point of presence in Great Britain.As Bord...
/FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
Under-16 International Player of the Year award. He graduated to the under-17s, missing out on the elite qualifying round of the 2007 UEFA Under-17 championships
2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship 2007 Final Tournament was held in Belgium from May 2, 2007, to May 13, 2007. Top 5 teams will qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007...
through injury, under-18s, and, in the 2008–09 season, to the under-19s.