Denise O'Sullivan
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Denise Rebecca O'Sullivan[1] | ||
Date of birth | 4 February 1994 | ||
Place of birth | Cork, Ireland[2] | ||
Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | North Carolina Courage | ||
Number | 10 | ||
Youth career | |||
Wilton United | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
–2011 | Wilton United | ||
2011 | Peamount United | 0 | (0) |
2011–2012 | Cork City | 15 | (6) |
2012 | Peamount United | 0 | (0) |
2012–2013 | Cork City | 11 | (2) |
2013–2016 | Glasgow City | 65 | (33) |
2016–2017 | Houston Dash | 29 | (2) |
2017– | North Carolina Courage | 123 | (3) |
2018–2019 | → Canberra United (loan) | 7 | (0) |
2019–2020 |
→ Western Sydney Wanderers (loan) | 7 | (1) |
2020 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 9 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2011– | Republic of Ireland | 109 | (21) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 March 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 November 2023 |
Denise Rebecca O'Sullivan (born 4 February 1994) is an
After a successful spell in Glasgow, which included being named 2014
In 2015, O'Sullivan was named FAI Senior International Player of the Year. She earned The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of Month honors in November 2019 and was on the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year shortlist the same year.
Early life
"I was definitely regarded as 'the girl that plays football'. Coming home from school, I'd have some food, get on my soccer boots and then my mam wouldn't call me for hours. I'd be out there playing non-stop, just playing with the boys."
Denise O'Sullivan[3]
O'Sullivan was born in Cork and grew up in Knocknaheeny. The youngest of nine children, her brother John Paul played soccer for Ireland at youth international level.[3] O'Sullivan learned to play football on the streets with her siblings[4] and as a youth looked up to Roy Keane.[3][5] She played for a boys' team, Nufarm Athletic, until age 11 when she had to leave due to rules against mixed-sex football.[3] As a youth being one of the only girls playing football, O'Sullivan experienced pushback from some boys who felt football was a game for men and boys. This behaviour pushed her to prove them wrong. She recalled, "I used to always surprise them. They were stronger and faster, but I was technically better than them."[6] She credits her toughness and passing skills to her childhood playing with boys. "[Back then] you'd only have one or two touches and there would be a boy smashing you. So, you'd have to let the ball go fast."[6]
Club career
Beginnings
O'Sullivan began her football career with Irish club Wilton United.[3][7] On 27 July 2008, she won the FAI Women's Under-14 National Cup, scoring twice in the final against Longford Town.[8] On 7 August 2011, she scored a goal in the FAI Women's Cup final, as Wilton United were defeated 3–1 by St Catherine's.[9]
Peamount United and Cork (2011–2013)
After her performance in the 2011 FAI Women's Cup final,
Glasgow City (2013–2015)
On 10 July 2013, O'Sullivan joined Scottish champions Glasgow City, ahead of their 2013–14 UEFA Women's Champions League campaign.[17][18] She scored on her league debut, on 28 July, in a 2–0 win over Rangers.[19] On 8 August, she made her Champions League debut for the club in a 7–0 home victory against ŽNK Osijek.[20] Her goal in a 3–1 win over Standard Liège on 17 October helped Glasgow City progress into the last 16 of the Champions League.[21] On 16 November, it was announced that O'Sullivan had signed new contract with the club.[22] She finished the 2013 season with three goals in 12 appearances in all competitions.[23][24]
O'Sullivan made nine appearances in the
Houston Dash (2016–2017)
On 19 March 2016, O'Sullivan signed with the
During the 2017 season, O'Sullivan appeared in 11 games for Houston and tallied an assist. When Randy Waldrum, who had brought her to the club, was sacked, interim coach Omar Morales restricted her to minimal playing time. In the middle of the season on 26 July, she requested to be placed on waivers to be picked up by another team.[33]
North Carolina Courage (2017–present)
On 28 July 2017, O'Sullivan was claimed off waivers by the North Carolina Courage.[34] On 10 August, she made her debut in a 1–0 win over FC Kansas City.[2] The Courage finished in first place during the regular season with a 16–7–1 record, winning the NWSL Shield and advanced to the Playoffs. The game that clinched the NWSL Shield for the Courage was against O'Sullivan's former team, Houston Dash. The Courage won 4–0.[35] On 8 October, O'Sullivan scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute of the semi-final against the Chicago Red Stars.[36] She made a total of nine appearances for the Courage in 2017 and scored one goal.[2]
During the
She's almost – out of the whole team – the one player we can't play without. That's what she's become. She has a massive impact on tactics because she controls the tempo, dictates the tempo and her job functions are multi-faceted. She's the first player on the team sheet every week in Courage country.
North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley, Goal[41]
During the
In November 2019, O'Sullivan signed a multi-year contract with the Courage. Head coach Riley said, "She is one of the first names on the team sheet every week. She is a massive influencer in the way we play. She has a genius soccer IQ that makes her a brilliant reader and manipulator of the game. She is a tremendous footballer and passer of the ball and she breaks up the opponent's playmaking ability with an intuitive reading of the game."[46]
O'Sullivan was named captain of the Courage in February 2023.[47]
Loans
On 18 October 2018, O'Sullivan was signed by
For the
In September 2020, O'Sullivan moved on loan to English
International career
Youth
O'Sullivan was part of the under-17 team that finished in second place at the 2010 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, after losing on penalties in the final against Spain. At the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, she scored in the quarter-final defeat against eventual runners-up Japan, after helping Ireland finish top of a group that included Brazil, Canada and Ghana.[59]
Senior
On 17 September 2011, O'Sullivan made her senior debut and scored both goals in a 2–0
O'Sullivan continued to be selected by national team coach Susan Ronan and participated in Ireland's failed 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification campaign. Alongside namesake Fiona O'Sullivan she was the team's joint-top goalscorer with three goals.[62] She was named 2015 FAI Senior International Player of the Year.[63]
She remained an important national team player under Ronan's successor Colin Bell, displaying good form in the unsuccessful 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying series.[64]
Style of play
O'Sullivan emerged as a promising forward with the Irish youth national teams.[65] She developed into a midfield playmaker, described by her North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley as one of the most "gifted and complete" in world football: "She has a massive impact on tactics because she controls the tempo, dictates the tempo and her job functions are multi-faceted."[66]
O'Sullivan is noted as an aggressive player and was
Career statistics
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Republic of Ireland | 2011 | 3 | 3 |
2012 | 10 | 1 | |
2013 | 8 | 2 | |
2014 | 11 | 2 | |
2015 | 10 | 0 | |
2016 | 9 | 1 | |
2017 | 9 | 1 | |
2018 | 8 | 0 | |
2019 | 7 | 0 | |
2020 | 5 | 1 | |
2021 | 9 | 5 | |
2022 | 9 | 3 | |
2023 | 11 | 2 | |
Total | 109 | 21 |
- Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goals first. Score column indicates score after each O'Sullivan goal. Updated as of 6 November 2023.
Honours
Glasgow City
North Carolina Courage
Individual
- SWPL Players' Player of the Year: 2014[88]
- FAI Senior International Player of the Year: 2015[88]
- RTÉ Sports Person of the Year shortlist: 2019[89]
- NWSL Players' Team of the Year: 2019[90]
- The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of Month: November 2019[91]
- W-League Player of the Month: December 2019[88]
See also
- List of foreign NWSL players
- List of foreign W-League (Australia) players
References
- ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – Squad List: Republic Of Ireland (IRL)" (PDF). FIFA. 11 July 2023. p. 25. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Denise O'Sullivan player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Mackey, Liam (12 November 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan's journey from the streets of Knocknaheeny to being hailed as 'one of the world's best'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ a b Tiernan, Eamonn (21 December 2018). "Canberra United's Irish superstar Denise O'Sullivan says goodbye". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ Hayes, Michael (21 December 2019). "Cork soccer star tells her story in her own words in revealing blog". Cork Beo. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ a b Proch, Danielle (12 May 2020). "NCFC Insider: Denise O'Sullivan's Street Football Days". North Carolina FC. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Wanderers sign NWSL Champions Hamilton, O'Sullivan and Williams". Western Sydney Wanderers. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
Having started her youth career in her native country at Wilton United, O'Sullivan...
- Blarney United. 27 July 2008. Archived from the originalon 1 April 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "St. Catherine's claim FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup". Football Association of Ireland. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- Women's National League. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
- ^ Louise Cashell (10 November 2011). "The dream is finally becoming a reality". Cork Independent. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Denise O'Sullivan player profile". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ Goodison, Dean (17 January 2012). "Women suffer Cork setback". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- Women's National League. 1 May 2012. Archived from the originalon 24 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ O'Mahony, Chris (31 July 2012). "Denise O'Sullivan signs with Peamount for Champions League". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "Top Scorers – 2012–2013 Women's National League". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "Glasgow City sign Republic of Ireland star Denise O'Sullivan". Glasgow City F.C. 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Irish striker is second City signing". The Herald. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan helps Glasgow City defeat Rangers". BBC Sport. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Glasgow City get off to perfect European start". Glasgow City F.C. 8 August 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Glasgow City into the last 16 after defeating Standard Liege". Glasgow City F.C. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan agrees a new contract with Glasgow City". Glasgow City F.C. 16 November 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Player appearances (2013)". Glasgow City F.C. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Player goals (2013)". Glasgow City F.C. Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan named SWPL Players' Player of the Year". Glasgow City F.C. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan extends her stay with the Champions". Glasgow City F.C. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan is SWPL Player of the Month". Glasgow City F.C. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan transfers to Houston Dash". Glasgow City F.C. 19 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Houston Dash sign Irish forward Denise O'Sullivan". Houston Dynamo FC. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ Campbell, Alan (27 March 2016). "Alan Campbell on women's football: Denise O'Sullivan's transfer makes history as Dash splash the cash". The Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ "Dash held to scoreless draw by Sky Blue FC". Houston Dynamo FC. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ "Houston defeats FC Kansas City 2–1 for first away victory in the series". Houston Dynamo FC. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- The42. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ "North Carolina Courage adds firepower to roster with Denise O'Sullivan". North Carolina Courage. 28 July 2017. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ Lee, Allison. "Courage win Shield with 4–0 shutout of Dash". The Equalizer. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
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- ^ "NC Courage Announces Team Awards". North Carolina Courage. 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ Jones, Kaelen (22 September 2018). "NC Courage Beats Portland Thorns FC, Wins First-Ever NWSL Championship". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- The42. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ Ruszkai, Ameé (9 October 2020). "Move aside Morgan & Lavelle: O'Sullivan is NWSL gem worth watching in Women's Super League". Goal. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ Brown, Morgan (11 October 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan Highlights NC Courage Team Awards with Second Consecutive MVP Win". North Carolina Courage. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "Courage Survive Reign in Extra Time to Return to NWSL Final". Sports Illustrated. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- The42. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ Kassouf, Jeff (26 October 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan might be the best player no one is talking about". The Equalizer. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ Kriger, Rachael (20 November 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan signs multi-year contract to remain with NC Courage". The Equalizer. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ North Carolina Courage (10 February 2023). "Our New Captain". YouTube. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "NWSL Champion O'Sullivan signs in Canberra". Canberra United. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ Locke, Cian (19 October 2018). "Hotshot Denise O'Sullivan makes Canberra guest move". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ Lawrence, Caleb (28 October 2018). "Report | United kick-off Season 11 with a win". Canberra United. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
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- ^ "2019/2020 W-League". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
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- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan: Brighton & Hove Albion Women sign Republic of Ireland striker". BBC Sport. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- The42. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
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- ^ "Victory for Women's senior and U19 teams". Football Association of Ireland. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
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- ^ "Senior Women's International Player of the Year". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- The42. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ "Women's U17 Player Profiles". Football Association of Ireland. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Whelan, James (9 September 2020). "Denise O'Sullivan's Brighton move confirmed as USA stars join Manchester United". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ Rugari, Vince (18 January 2020). "Wanderers' midfield maestro hits 100 games, aims for Matildas return". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
If O'Sullivan is the destroyer - her coach in the US, after all, calls her a "junkyard" player...
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan the heroine on senior debut". Football Association of Ireland. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Republic of Ireland 2–0 Israel". Football Association of Ireland. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
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- Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
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- The42. 24 October 2017.
- ^ Murpny, Éamonn (11 March 2020). "Denise O'Sullivan goal seals vital victory for Ireland away to Montenegro". The Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (21 September 2021). "'Tigers one and all' - Ireland beat Australia in five goal thriller". The Irish Times. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ Fallon, John (26 October 2021). "Megan Connolly and Denise O'Sullivan fire Ireland to famous Finland victory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ Fallon, John (1 December 2021). "Ireland hat-trick hero Denise O'Sullivan focused on tougher tests ahead". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Wales 0-1 WNT". FAI. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ Duffy, Emma (27 June 2022). "Ireland beat Georgia 9-0 to ensure World Cup dream hits new heights". The 42. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ McCadden, Mark (6 September 2022). "Slovakia 0-1 Ireland: O'Sullivan's touch of class brings World Cup dream closer". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Hungary 0-4 WNT". FAI. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Albania 0-1 WNT". FAI. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Denise O'Sullivan". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ The42. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ Murphy, Eamonn (18 December 2019). "Two Cork athletes on the shortlist of 10 for RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year". The Echo. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- The42. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ Hannigan, Mary (14 November 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan wins Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of Month award". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
Further reading
- Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
- Hong, Fan (2004), Soccer, Women, Sexual Liberation: Kicking Off a New Era, F.Cass, ISBN 9780714684086
- Hurley, Jacquie (2020), Girls Play Too: Inspiring Stories of Irish Sportswomen, Merrion Press, ISBN 9781785373398
External links
- Denise Rebecca O'Sullivan at the National Women's Soccer League
- Denise O'Sullivan #10 at North Carolina Courage
- Denise O'Sullivan #13 at Houston Dash
- Denise O'Sullivan at Extratime.ie
- Denise O'Sullivan – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Denise O'Sullivan – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Denise O'Sullivan at Soccerway