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Jay O'Shea

From Alfawiki
James O'Shea
Born (1988-08-10) August 10, 1988 (age 38)
Ireland
OccupationProfessional footballer
Years active2005–
Known forAttacking midfielder for Brisbane Roar

James O'Shea (born 10 August 1988) is a professional Irish footballer currently playing as an attacking midfielder for the A-League side Brisbane Roar.

While his main position is attacking midfield, O'Shea is also capable of performing as a winger or a striker. His football journey started with St Joseph's Boys AFC before he moved to Home Farm competing in the Leinster Senior League in 2005. After making two appearances there, he transferred to Bray Wanderers, where he spent approximately eighteen months. In 2008, O'Shea signed for Galway United, playing in 60 matches across all tournaments and drawing interest from clubs in both the English Football League and Premier League.

In August 2009, he secured a move to Birmingham City for an undisclosed amount, debuting in the Premier League against Manchester United. Due to limited playing time in the first team, he was loaned out to Middlesbrough in March 2010, followed by spells at Stevenage in October 2010, and Port Vale in January 2011. After being released at the conclusion of the 2010–11 season, O'Shea signed with Milton Keynes Dons.

In November 2012, he was loaned to Chesterfield, making the move permanent two months later. He played in the 2014 Football League Trophy final and was instrumental in Chesterfield's triumph in the League Two championship during the 2013–14 season. January 2017 saw him join Sheffield United on loan, contributing to their successful campaign that resulted in winning the League One title.

O'Shea joined Bury in July 2017 and was honored with selection to the PFA Team of the Year after Bury secured promotion from League Two in the 2018–19 season. In June 2019, he relocated to Australia to play for Brisbane Roar, earning spots on the PFA A-League Team of the Season for both 2020–21 and 2022–23, as well as being chosen for the A-Leagues All Star squad in 2022.

Bray and Galway

O'Shea’s early football development took place at St Joseph's Boys, a youth club located in south County Dublin. In 2005, he joined Home Farm, competing within the Leinster Senior League. The following year, he signed with Bray Wanderers, making his senior debut at age 18 and netting his first professional goal in October 2007 against Shamrock Rovers. By December 2007, O'Shea had moved to League of Ireland Premier Division outfit Galway United, finishing as their leading scorer in 2008 with ten goals across all competitions.

Reports emerged in November 2008 regarding a £400,000 transfer to English Championship side Derby County, during which O'Shea participated in a trial match behind closed doors and scored twice. Nevertheless, this transfer collapsed following Derby manager Paul Jewell’s resignation. Ahead of the 2009–10 season, negotiations with Carlisle United nearly resulted in a signing but ultimately did not materialize. In January 2009, O'Shea trialed at Birmingham City before returning to Galway to continue their league campaign.

Throughout the 2009 season, he scored six goals over 23 appearances while serving as Galway’s captain. His final appearance featured a late winning goal during a 2–1 victory over Bray Wanderers. Scouts from clubs including Portsmouth, Derby County, Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, Watford, and Falkirk monitored his performances during his last two matches for Galway.

Birmingham City

On 10 August 2009, O'Shea committed to a two-year deal with Premier League side Birmingham City, which included an option to extend for an additional two years. The transfer fee was not disclosed. He made his first appearance coming off the bench during Birmingham’s 1–0 defeat against Manchester United in their opening match. Nine days later, he was in the starting lineup for a 2–1 victory over Southampton in the League Cup. He also featured in the subsequent round, a 2–0 defeat at Sunderland, which marked his final outing of that season.

In March 2010, O'Shea was loaned to Middlesbrough for one month, where he participated in two English Football League matches before returning to Birmingham. At the start of the 2010–11 campaign, Birmingham aimed to arrange another loan to secure him consistent game time. In October, he trialed with Scunthorpe United but did not finalize a loan move. Manager Alex McLeish expressed surprise that no team had taken him on loan.

On 26 October 2010, O'Shea joined League Two side Stevenage on a one-month loan and was given the squad number 22. After scoring in a reserve fixture, he started in Stevenage’s goalless draw against Chesterfield and went on to make six appearances across league and FA Cup competitions. His loan period was extended until January 2011.

Following his return to Birmingham, O'Shea immediately secured another loan deal with League Two club Port Vale for one month. He netted his first goal in English football during a match against Rotherham United on 1 February and made five starts before heading back to Birmingham. Port Vale’s caretaker manager later attempted to bring him back, but the move reportedly collapsed due to wage disagreements.

After Birmingham City suffered relegation from the Premier League, O'Shea was among several players released when their contracts expired at the conclusion of the 2010–11 season.

Milton Keynes Dons

In July 2011, O'Shea trialed with League One outfit Milton Keynes Dons and secured a one-year contract with an option for a further year after impressing manager Karl Robinson. He scored his inaugural goal at Stadium MK on 20 August by converting a late penalty in a 6–2 triumph over Chesterfield. His second goal arrived during a commanding 6–0 FA Cup victory against non-League Nantwich Town. On 24 January 2012, he opened the scoring for his third goal of the season, although MK Dons were defeated 4–2 by Stevenage.

Chesterfield

In November 2012, O'Shea moved on loan to League Two club Chesterfield until January 2013. He marked his debut by scoring in a 2–0 win over former club Port Vale. Upon completion of his loan spell, he departed MK Dons through mutual agreement and signed an eighteen-month contract with Chesterfield. During the remainder of the 2012–13 season, he scored five goals across 19 appearances.

O'Shea earned a place in the Football League Team of the Week after netting twice in a 3–1 victory against Torquay United on 15 February 2014. The following month, he featured at Wembley Stadium as Chesterfield were defeated 3–1 by Peterborough United in the Football League Trophy final. He again received Team of the Week recognition after scoring two goals to secure a 2–0 win at Burton Albion that confirmed automatic promotion. Across the 2013–14 season, he scored nine goals in 47 appearances as Chesterfield claimed the League Two title, dedicating their success to a late friend.

In the subsequent 2014–15 campaign, O'Shea contributed seven goals in 41 League One matches as Chesterfield reached the play-offs but were eliminated by Preston North End in the semi-finals. During the 2015–16 season, he recorded nine goals in 51 appearances and earned Team of the Week honors three times for notable performances.

O'Shea was awarded EFL League One Player of the Month for November 2016 after scoring four goals and providing two assists, including a brace against Bristol Rovers. On 24 January 2017, he joined fellow League One side Sheffield United on loan for the remainder of that season. He scored three goals across ten appearances as Sheffield United secured promotion as champions while Chesterfield faced relegation. Upon returning from loan in May 2017, O'Shea was released by Chesterfield.

Bury

In July 2017, O'Shea opted against renewing with Sheffield United and instead signed a two-year contract with League One side Bury. He featured in the season opener versus Walsall but was forced off after 54 minutes due to a medial ligament injury, which was anticipated to sideline him for approximately six weeks. Returning to action, he netted a goal in a 3–1 victory over Bradford City on 14 October. Over the course of the 2017–18 season, O'Shea recorded four goals across 30 appearances, although Bury ended the campaign at the bottom of the table and suffered relegation.

On 17 November 2018, he scored twice—including a flawlessly executed free-kick—in a dominant 4–0 triumph against Stevenage, performances that earned him a place in the EFL Team of the Week. His form throughout November 2018 and January 2019 garnered him the EFL League Two Player of the Month award on both occasions, highlighting his impressive consistency within just three months. On 19 January, O'Shea delivered a remarkable solo effort in a 2–1 win away at Forest Green Rovers, once again securing Team of the Week recognition. Following that, on 9 February, he bagged two goals in a 3–2 victory over Morecambe, marking his third inclusion in the Team of the Week for that season.

During the 2018–19 League Two season, O'Shea tallied an impressive 15 goals in 44 league matches. His outstanding contributions led to his selection for both the League Two PFA Team of the Year and the EFL Team of the Season alongside teammate Danny Mayor. Bury achieved promotion by finishing as runners-up in League Two. After this successful campaign, rumors linked him with a transfer to Plymouth Argyle, managed by former Bury coach Ryan Lowe.

Brisbane Roar

On 28 June 2019, O'Shea joined A-League outfit Brisbane Roar, where he was reunited with manager Robbie Fowler, a former Liverpool striker. He quickly settled into the squad and earned Player of the Month honors for October. Before the suspension of the 2019–20 season due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he had made 24 appearances. His peers recognized his impact by awarding him Brisbane's Players' Player of the Year. In February 2021, O'Shea extended his contract with the club. Brisbane advanced to the elimination semi-finals in the 2020–21 season but were narrowly defeated 2–1 by Adelaide United. That season also saw him named as a substitute in the A-League Team of the Season at the PFA Footballer of the Year Awards.

Throughout the entire 2021–22 campaign, O'Shea started all 26 matches and was selected for the A-Leagues All Stars squad that faced Barcelona on 25 May. During the following season (2022–23), he contributed nine goals over 24 league appearances and was honored with inclusion in the PFA A-League Team of the Season. In December 2023, he committed to Brisbane Roar by signing a two-year contract extension. He participated in the 2024 A-Leagues All Stars Men’s fixture against Newcastle United, which concluded with an emphatic 8–0 victory for the All Stars. Across the 2023–24 season, O'Shea scored eight goals over 31 appearances and added three goals from 27 matches during the opening phase of the 2024–25 campaign.

International career

O'Shea qualifies to represent both Ireland and Australia, with eligibility for Australia contingent on acquiring citizenship after five years’ residency by 2024. He has represented Ireland at multiple youth levels—under-19, under-21, and under-23—scoring on his under-21 debut during a 2–1 win over Spain U21 on 28 March 2009. His only appearance at under-23 level came in October 2008 when Ireland lost 2–1 to Belgium’s under-23 team.

Career statistics

rowspan=8 scope=row *Brisbane Roar FC* *201920 Brisbane Roar FC season* *A-League* *27* *1* *2* *1* *—* *—* *—* *—* *29* *2* *202021 Brisbane Roar FC season* *A-League* *27* *4* *—* *—* *—* *—* *—* *—* *27* *4* *202122 Brisbane Roar FC season* *A-League Men* *26* *3* *3* *—* *—* *—* *—* *—* *29* *3* *202223 Brisbane Roar FC season* *A-League Men* *24* *9* *3* *1* *—* *—* *—* *—* *27* *10* *202324 Brisbane Roar FC season*
  • A-League Men*
26 7 5 1 — — — — 31 8
  • [202425 Brisbane Roar FC season]*
  • A-League Men*
26 3 1 — — — — 27 3
  • [202526 Brisbane Roar FC season]*
  • A-League Men*
— — — — — — — — —
  • ! colspan=2 Aggregate*
  • !156!*27!*14!*3!*—!*—!*—!*—!*170!*30*
  • ! colspan=3 Career aggregate*
  • !554!*107!*41!*12!*18!*2!*18!*1!*631!*122*
Appearances and goals broken down by club, season, and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Overall
Division Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances Goals
Bray Wanderers 2006 League of Ireland Premier 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2007 League of Ireland Premier 26 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 27 2
Aggregate 35 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 36 2
Galway United 2008 League of Ireland Premier 29 7 4 2 4 1 0 0 37 10
2009 League of Ireland Premier 19 4 1 1 3 1 0 0 23 6
Aggregate 48 11 5 3 7 2 0 0 60 16
Birmingham City 2009–10 Premier League 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
2010–11 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Aggregate 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Middlesbrough (loan) 2009–10 Championship 2 0 0 0 2
Stevenage (loan) 201011 League Two 5 2 7
Port Vale (loan) 201011 League Two 5 1 00 00 00 00 00 00 5 1
Milton Keynes Dons 201112 League One 28 5 2 1 2 00 3* 00 35 6
201213 League One 11 1 2 1 3 00 1** 00 17 2
Aggregate 39 6 4 2 5 00 4 00 52 8
Chesterfield (loan) 201213 League Two 7 !! 2 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!7 !!2
Chesterfield 201213 League Two 19 !!5 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!00 !!19 !!5
201314 League Two 40 !!9 !!2 !!00 !!1* !!00 !!4** !!00 !!47 !!9
201415 League One 41 !!7 !!4 !!2 !!00 !!00 !!2*** !!00 !!47 !!9
201516 League One 46 !!9 !!3 ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
colspan=2 ! Aggregate !180 !38 !11 !3 !3 !00 !10 !1 !204 !42
Sheffield United (loan) 201617 League One 10 !3 !00 !00 !00 !00 !00 !00 !10 !3
Bury 201718 League One 27 !4 !2 !00 !00 !00 !1* !00 !30 !4
201819 League Two 44 !15 !2 !1 !1* !00 !3** !00 !50 !16
colspan=2 ! Aggregate 73 !19 !4 !1 !1 *!00 *!4 **!00 *!82 *!20


Honours

Chesterfield

Sheffield United

Bury

Individual Achievements

External links

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