The Dublin-born youngster started the campaign as an Academy graduate and ended it as a fully-fledged Barclays Premiership performer and a full international for the Republic of Ireland. O'Brien was thrown in at the deep-end when he came on as a tenth minute substitute for the injured Gary Speed during the home game against Portsmouth in September 2005. He then kept his place in the team, although he switched to an unfamiliar position of right-back. It was in that role he excelled and went on to keep out regular right-back Nicky Hunt when the England under 21 international returned to fitness. He made his full Republic of Ireland debut in a 3-0 victory against Sweden in March 2006. |
