Updated at 12.30
IRELAND’S MARK O’BRIEN was the hero yesterday, as his 89th minute goal kept his club Newport in the Football League.
Hartlepool were ultimately relegated from League Two, despite beating Doncaster 2-1, with Newport consequently needing a win to ensure safety.
With the Welsh side drawing 1-1 against Notts County, O’Brien volleyed home the winner in the game’s dying moments to send the home fans at Rodney Parade into ecstasy.
It was a special moment for the 24-year-old Dublin-born defender, who caught the eye playing for Cherry Orchard at youth level, before signing with Derby in 2008.
The former Republic of Ireland U16 Player of the Year made 34 made Championship appearances in seven seasons with the Rams, but a damaged cruciate and a succession of injury issues ultimately hampered his progress, and O’Brien left the club at the end of the 2014-15 season.
He subsequently signed for League Two side Luton, but struggled to gain regular first-team football, and only joined Newport back in January after his Luton deal was terminated by mutual consent.
Since joining the Welsh club on a contract lasting until the end of the season, he has been a regular fixture in the side and his all-important strike was his first goal for the club and just his second ever in 10 seasons of senior football.
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Great goal.. Watching Jeff on soccer Saturday was brilliant also when it looked like hartlepool were safe..
Saw O’Brien playing for derby when he was 18-19. The derby fans were way more excited about him at the time than Hendrick, Hughes etc that had also broken into the team. I remember our taxi man to the match in particular raving about him……
Real pity the injuries stopped that momentum, but great he’s still making a career out of it and plenty of time to kick on
Went over too easy during the celebration. Could of been a yellow for a dive.
What a goal great to see how much it means to the players too
Have to feel sorry for jeff
Read about him.in an article in Irish Times when he broke into Derby team ,watched him and was very impressed .
Hes been injury prone ever since ,hopefully this will be a turning point and he has a prosperous career after all.