O’Brien Lands Ireland U21 Call-Up

Rams defender lands U21 call-up.

Derby County defender Mark O’Brien has landed a call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under 21 team.

The 20-year-old centre-back has been called up to Noel King’s squad for their international match against the Netherlands on Wednesday 6th February 2013 in Dublin.

O’Brien has started the Rams’ last four matches after he successfully returned to action from a cruciate ligament injury he sustained midway through last season, and has made nine appearances for Derby this season.

Manager Nigel Clough said: “It’s pleasing to see another one of our players receive international recognition and after battling back from a few long-term injuries already in his career, Mark thoroughly deserves this call-up.”

O’Brien, a graduate of Derby County’s Academy, has represented his country at various youth levels in the past, but never at Under 21 level. He was placed on standby for their game against Liechtenstein just over a year ago, but failed to make the final squad.

In total, O’Brien, who signed professional terms back in 2009, has made 33 appearances for the Rams – and four years ago he was voted as the Republic of Ireland’s Under-19 Player of the Year.