Mark O'Brien

**tetsujin1979** · 05/11/2009, 10:32 AM

The U19 youngster at Derby, who broke through last season, had to have heart surgery recently, and will be out recovering until the new year.
Best of luck Mark, with the recent coverage of sportsmen dying due to undiagnosed conditions, you were lucky

From Derby's official site
Article about the operation: http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetai...845726,00.html
Interview with him following the operation: http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetai...845771,00.html

**irishfan86** · 05/11/2009, 7:18 PM

Glad they spotted this early. Hopefully he takes his time and makes a full recovery.

**Paddy Garcia** · 01/05/2010, 9:04 PM

Way to go Mark.......

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/8654126.stm

**Razors left peg** · 02/05/2010, 1:58 AM

There is a video in that piece that isnt availible outside of the uk. I dont know anything about this lad, can anyone fill in the backround?

**tetsujin1979** · 02/05/2010, 12:09 PM

U19 defender who played in the last game of last season and was tipped as a first teamer this season at Derby. Was diagnosed with a heart condition and had an operation in November
more here: http://foot.ie/threads/127284-Mark-O-Brien

**Serb** · 02/05/2010, 1:45 PM

Watched the video there. Basically, he had a faulty valve in his heart and had to get it replaced. He gets interviewed on his bed by the guy from the BBC. Nigel Clough is interviewed saying that he definitely would have played this season if he wasn't out with the heart condition. It finishes by saying that he was awarded a 3� year contract.

**Paddy Garcia** · 02/05/2010, 6:20 PM

Comes cross as a very decent lad - the coach also said he was the best prospect he had seen in 22 years in the game!

Just to clarifty the "on the bed" stuff - they were playin playstation - following a video of him clearing the ball off the line in the final Derby game of last season - as a 16 year old.

Clough also spoke very highly of him.

**Serb** · 03/05/2010, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

Just to clarifty the "on the bed" stuff - they were playin playstation - following a video of him clearing the ball off the line in the final Derby game of last season - as a 16 year old.

haha sorry, I was just typing as I was watching and didn't really think about how dodgy that sounds.

**bwagner** · 03/05/2010, 10:49 PM

Jeef Kendrick and Ryan Connolly were also on the bench this weekend , Connolly got a few mins run about

**tetsujin1979** · 04/05/2010, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by bwagner

Jeef Kendrick and Ryan Connolly were also on the bench this weekend , Connolly got a few mins run about

Cheers, didn't realise that, added them to Irish Abroad
Kendrick: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Play...playerID=54428
Connolly: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Play...playerID=53328
Connolly was on the bench for the cup game against Birmingham in February

**bwagner** · 05/05/2010, 1:53 AM

Yea Tets, the star on Monday had a wee bit about them. Very good articles every Monday actually about our lads overseas.

**tetsujin1979** · 28/08/2010, 8:02 PM

Mark was on the bench today for Derby, there was an article in This Is Leicestershire during the week about his recovery from his heart condition: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.u...l/article.html

**backstothewall** · 28/08/2010, 8:20 PM

Its great that these kind of scans now, and these kind of problems can be detected and addressed before they emerge naturally. Especially when one considers that poor kid getting buried in Warrenpoint this week. Hopefully it all goes well for him and one day him and Shane Duffy can bore the **** out of the other players with their hospital stories in between World Cup games

**rebelmusic** · 06/08/2011, 5:34 PM

Came off the bench for Derby today. 18 year old Center Back. Anyone know much about him?

From wiki

Mark O'Brien (born 20 November 1992 in Dublin) 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. Both Mark and Jamie came through the ranks of Cherry Orchard Football Club in Dublin.[1]

O'Brien made his debut for Derby County as a 65th minute substitute for Lewin Nyatanga, in a 3�1 defeat away to Watford on 3 May 2009.[2] He was named Derby County scholar of the year at a club awards ceremony two days later.
In November 2009 it was announced by Derby County that O'Brien had successfully undergone heart surgery to correct a valve problem, and that he would be able to resume his career following a three to four month recovery period. The problem had been discovered during a routine medical scan for academy players.[3] He returned to football action just six months later, as he played 45 minutes in an Academy friendly against Wallsend Boys Club on 13 April 2010[4] and was an unused substitute in Derby's final first team game of the 2009/10 season as they ran out 2�0 winners against Cardiff City at Pride Park.

**youngirish** · 13/08/2011, 3:37 PM

Started for Derby today in central defence. Could be one to watch. Still only 18.

**Murfinator** · 13/08/2011, 4:12 PM

He's a quality purchase in Football Manager 2011, develops quite nicely in the long run.

Future captain material alongside Richie Partridge surely!

**Paddy Garcia** · 13/08/2011, 5:45 PM

http://foot.ie/threads/134895-Mark-O-Brien?highlight=

There is a thread (& interview) on him already - above link.

Amazing story of a recovery from heart surgery.

**tommy_c12000** · 13/08/2011, 6:06 PM

Mark had a solid game today by all accounts. Great to do him so well. In the side because of a couple of injuries to defenders. Hopefully, he will take his opportunity now and establish himself at centre back alongside Shackell. This pair should be the central defence partnership again the next day. Also of note was Hendrick's performance, who came on at half time and started stringing passes together something that the Rams lacked in the first half. Certainly two Irish players to keep a close eye on this season. Great to see it!