Mark O'Brien

**DeLorean** · 06/05/2017, 8:45 PM

Was just reading about it, delighted for him (and a little for Hartlepool after Stelling's antics).

Mark O'Brien Twitter

**tricky_colour** · 06/05/2017, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Calmest man on the pitch today as he scored the goal which clinched Newport Countys survival in the Football League at the expense of Hartlepool.
http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...otts-co/359762

Unusually these days to see a proper football pitch, ie worn patch and mud etc....

Doubt Roy Keane would want to have to train on that!

**DeLorean** · 08/05/2017, 12:33 PM

I couldn't help notice a Balls.ie tweet on Saturday saying "Incredible scenes. Absolutely gutted for Jeff."

They did make a 'by the way' reference to "Dubliner Mark O'Brien" in the article that went along with the tweet, but you'd think for any self respecting Irish sports website that would have been the story.

Or, indeed, as one person also replied, "Forget over the top Jeff, more gutted for @padraigamond21".

Anyway, the BBC paid a nice little tribute to Newport's great escape...

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39839371

**OwlsFan** · 09/05/2017, 3:37 PM

Mark O'Brien, a name which will forever be remembered by Jeff Stelling of Sky Sports:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/f...ndits-12998097

The three different reactions are what we have all felt at times and this time I don't think it's just Sky hype.

**DeLorean** · 10/05/2017, 8:49 PM

Extensive and very good interview with O'Brien on Newstalk while ago. Was going around on circles for a bit at the start but I'd blame the questions more than him for that. Worth listening til the end I think when it's up on the podcast.

**DeLorean** · 11/05/2017, 8:41 AM

Interview here... might have to skip past a little bit at the start.

http://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Off...l__Mark_OBrien

**Paddy Garcia** · 16/02/2019, 8:19 PM

Great performance tonight by O'Brien - really impressive.

**samhaydenjr** · 17/02/2019, 2:26 AM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

Great performance tonight by O'Brien - really impressive.

Good to see - at 26, there's still the chance that such an eye-catching performance could lead to a bigger club taking a punt on him - if there's been no extension that I'm unaware of, his contract expires in May and will be available for free - so not much to lose for a frugal Championship club, say. He's had a tough time with injuries, so I'm sure nobody would begrudge him leveraging today's game to get a good contract in the Summer

**Paddy Garcia** · 17/02/2019, 10:39 AM

Agree - did a better job at shutting out the City attack than some Premier defences.

**samhaydenjr** · 30/04/2019, 10:18 PM

Two years after scoring the goal that kept Newport in the Football League, he scores the opening goal in a victory that puts them into the play-off positions: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48018491

**liamoo11** · 30/04/2019, 10:46 PM

This lad deserves good thing. Worth remembering he played in the championship as a 17 year old

**DeLorean** · 01/05/2019, 9:04 AM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

This lad deserves good thing. Worth remembering he played in the championship as a 17 year old

He was extremely highly regarded at Derby too, such a shame. I remember when he scored the goal to keep them up some of the Irish media were (pathetically) more focussed on the whole Jeff Stelling - Hartlepool heartbreak angle.

**DeLorean** · 31/05/2019, 10:11 PM

New two-year contract at Newport - https://twitter.com/NewportCounty/st...44443152146432

Good to see the positive comments despite possibly costing them promotion last weekend, he seems to be a very important player for them and still, somehow, only 26

https://www.newport-county.co.uk/new...igns-new-deal/

**tetsujin1979** · 15/06/2020, 2:23 PM

Has to retire due to his ongoing heart problems, only 27: https://www.newport-county.co.uk/new...ub-news-15-06/

**DeLorean** · 15/06/2020, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Has to retire due to his ongoing heart problems, only 27: https://www.newport-county.co.uk/new...ub-news-15-06/

A shame. A serious prospect at one point nailing down a starting position at centre back in the Championship at just 19. He'll always have this at least -

**tommy_c12000** · 15/06/2020, 4:23 PM

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

One aspect of the article that really surprised me was that Mark got a pig's valve. (�They took my aortic valve out and replaced it with a pig�s aortic valve).
Pig valves are a lot less durable than metal mechanical valves and are generally reserved for more elderly patients. Typically they may have a life span of 10 years. The one major advantage of using them is that the patient does not have to go on blood thinners. Maybe this was a deciding factor when they were making the decision as playing competitive football on a daily basis would increase the risk of trauma and thus increase the bleeding risk. (This is me just musing outloud. Really can't say for certain as I have very little experience in that area). Metal mechanical valves require life long blood thinners but can last the lifetime of the patient.

The bottom line is that Mark will require more open heart surgery in his late 20s/early 30s. Just wondering if anyone knows if this is the norm for participants in contact sports to go with pig valves to "get through" their sporting careers, then undergo the traumatic stress of another open heart surgery to get a metal valve in?? It seems to me like a admirable brave decision to pursue his dream of being a professional footballer.

Timeframe as expected. But gave his professional career every chance so very admirable. Such a shame for such a talented footballer. Wishing him all the best with his future health and endeavors

**tetsujin1979** · 07/04/2021, 9:22 AM

Interviewed on the Life Outside Of Sport podcast
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR...gxYWMzZDM4Y2E3

**tetsujin1979** · 24/08/2023, 11:34 AM

Bringing out a book soon

**John83** · 24/08/2023, 6:08 PM

Here's the amazon link in case anyone wants to add it to a wishlist or something: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Two-He...s%2C101&sr=8-4

**pineapple stu** · 24/08/2023, 6:20 PM

"Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock."

Edit - in fact, probably because it hasn't been released as a title yet...