Jake O'Brien D Lyon b.2001

[seanfhear]

An excellent first season for O’Brien,can’t ask for much more of 1 million euro signing,cup final and Europa League qualification secured with him playing week in week out.

He seems to be a bit of a cult hero there and the supporters seem to be in 2 minds wether to cash in or keep him and hope he develops further,I’d really hope he stays at Lyon rather go to Juve who’ll have a new manager and are hard to gauge,another season of playing every week and Europa League football sounds like a good idea to me…..

Are we 100% sure that he is nor a Terminator ? !

He looks like he could be a Terminator !

[Eirambler]

Would have to be a contender for Irish player of the season in terms of his development at club level. Probably between him, Szmodics and Kelleher, but unlike Szmodics O'Brien did it in one of the big five leagues and unlike Kelleher he did it for pretty much the whole season. (Maybe an honourable mention for Scales as well).

He's comfortably the youngest of the three also. Great to see a player breaking through almost from nowhere like that, even if it is yet another centre back.

[pineapple stu]

Lyons form pretty much turned around when O'Brien cemented his place in the team. They looked like being in a relegation battle early on so it's been a great turn around by then.

In fairness, they picked up five points in his first six games and ended the season with the worst defensive record of anyone outside the bottom three.

It's been an unexpected bonus having someone break through in one of the big 5 Euro leagues, but let's steer away from the idea he turned things around himself.

[Razors left peg]

In fairness, they picked up five points in his first six games and ended the season with the worst defensive record of anyone outside the bottom three.

It's been an unexpected bonus having someone break through in one of the big 5 Euro leagues, but let's steer away from the idea he turned things around himself.

I'm not saying he turned things around by himself, but their form did improve once he got into team and he stayed in the team for rest of season as they impressively climbed the table

[JR89]

Talented lad is our Jake. Also never knew he had type 1 diabetes.

[tetsujin1979]

It was reported yesterday that Mbappe could miss the final
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/...405200061.html
(in French)

[Diggs246]

It was reported yesterday that Mbappe could miss the final
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/...405200061.html
(in French)

That's a shame
Would loved to see how Jake would have handled him.
I'm sure the Lyon fans dont agree of course

[Razors left peg]

That's a shame
Would loved to see how Jake would have handled him.
I'm sure the Lyon fans dont agree of course

TBH Id much rather see him with the trophy than being on the end of an Mbappe hattrick

[pineapple stu]

That's a shame
Would loved to see how Jake would have handled him.
I'm sure the Lyon fans dont agree of course

They lost 4-1 in both league games this year, albeit O'Brien was on the bench the first time (Mbappe scored twice) and Mbappe was on the bench the second time.

A Cup final is a good time for an easier game though!

[Predator]

O'Brien's sporting achievements are incredible, really. A true athlete.

His journey in the game is a classic example of how young players should always try to forge their own path, back themselves to the hilt and never be dissuaded by naysayers. Good on him.

[Razors left peg]

https://www.theguardian.com/football...WsNGPBxqNSglB7

Good article about him here. Really highlights how no one seen a season like this coming from him. Even us on here who talk about Irish football an unhealthy amount still under rate what he's even done this season I think

[Olé Olé]

The fact that he got and started every game bar one due to suspension is some going.

They have Caleta Car and Lovren on their books, as well as a couple of others at centre half. Lovren started alongside Caleta Car and O'Brien when they were playing a back 5. He's fallen to the bench and hasn't got a look in really. It looks like O'Brien hasn't been subbed either. There's a 10 cap Ivorian that can't make the bench too.

[JR89]

Really hope the lad starts against Hungary. Think he'll provide the perfect replacement for Duffy when it comes to defending and attacking set pieces.

[Eirambler]

Definitely, it's what we want to see as many of our younger players as possible do, when they get an opportunity grab it and kick on. Ferguson, Collins, O'Shea, Bazunu and now most recently Kelleher and O'Brien have done that to their credit. Hopefully Azaz will be next and Omobamidele will nail down a starting spot at Forest also. Honourable mention for Idah in Scotland too and Smallbone has been good for Southampton.

[Razors left peg]

Definitely, it's what we want to see as many of our younger players as possible do, when they get an opportunity grab it and kick on. Ferguson, Collins, O'Shea, Bazunu and now most recently Kelleher and O'Brien have done that to their credit. Hopefully Azaz will be next and Omobamidele will nail down a starting spot at Forest also. Honourable mention for Idah in Scotland too and Smallbone has been good for Southampton.

Parrot has also be quite good in Holland. Nor spectacular but good in a bad team

[JR89]

Gets a goal back for Lyon in the 55th min. Currently 2-1 to PSG.

[pineapple stu]

Cool! First Irish player to score in a non-Irish Cup final in... well, about four hours.

But before that though? Anthony Stokes for Hibs in 2016?

Edit - Jonny Hayes scored for Aberdeen in the 2017 final. Any improvements on that?

[SkStu]

I know Aldridge and Stapleton have cup final goals to their names.

[Razors left peg]

Video of him getting introduced to Macron. "He came on trial to see if he was good enough, and now he's a star"... kinda cool

[SkStu]

Here’s a good one (courtesy of Google)…

Cilian Sheridan - APOEL (2014)