Denise O'Sullivan

Denise O'Sullivan (born 4 February 1994) is an Irish international footballer who plays for North Carolina Courage of the NWSL, and currently on loan to Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2019–20 W-League season. She has been part of the Republic of Ireland women's national football team since 2011.

Denise O'Sullivan
Playing for North Carolina Courage in 2018
Personal information
Full name Denise O'Sullivan
Date of birth (1994-02-04) 4 February 1994
Place of birth Cork, Ireland
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Playing position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 North Carolina Courage
Number 8
Youth career
Wilton United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–2011 Wilton United
2011 Peamount United 0 (0)
2011–2012 Cork 15 (6)
2012 Peamount United 0 (0)
2012–2013 Cork 11 (2)
2013–2016 Glasgow City 65 (33)
2016–2017 Houston Dash 29 (2)
2017– North Carolina Courage 37 (1)
2018–2019 → Canberra United (loan) 7 (0)
2019–2020 → Western Sydney Wanderers (loan) 7 (1)
National team‡
2011– Republic of Ireland 77 (11)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 April 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:45, 6 June 2019

Club career

Beginnings

O'Sullivan began her career with Wilton United.[1] On 27 July 2008, she won the FAI Women’s Under–14 National Cup, scoring twice in the final against Longford Town.[2] 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.[3]

Peamount United and Cork (2011–2013)

After impressing in the 2011 FAI Women's Cup final,[4] O'Sullivan signed with Peamount United, ahead of their 2011–12 UEFA Women's Champions League campaign. She made three appearances in the Champions League for the South Dublin club,[5] before returning to her hometown and joining newly founded Cork, one of the six teams that competed in the WNL's inaugural 2011–12 season.[6] On 13 November 2011, she made her debut in a 6–1 loss to Peamount United.[7] On 15 January 2012, she scored her first goal in a 3–1 away win over Wexford Youths.[8] In her first season, she scored six goals in 15 appearances and was named to the league's Best XI.[9] In July 2012, O'Sullivan re-joined Peamount United and made three appearances in the Champions League, scoring a goal in a 4–0 victory against Cardiff Metropolitan.[5] After the club's exit from the Champions League, she returned to Cork[10] and finished her second season with two goals in 11 appearances.[11][7]

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.[12][13] On 28 July, she scored on her league debut in a 2–0 win over Rangers.[14] On 8 August, she made her Champions League debut for the club in a 7–0 home victory against ŽNK Osijek.[15] On 17 October, she scored a goal in a 3–1 win over Standard Liège, helping the side into the last 16 of the Champions League.[16] On 16 November, it was announced that O'Sullivan had signed new contract with the club.[17] She finished the 2013 season with three goals in 12 appearances in all competitions.[18][19]

O'Sullivan made nine appearances in the 2014–15 UEFA Women's Champions League campaign and scored four goals, including a brace in a 4–0 victory against Zhytlobud-1 Kharkiv on 14 August 2014. After lifting the domestic treble and being part of the first Scottish team to ever reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, she was voted SWPL Players' Player of the Year.[20] On 16 December 2014, she signed a new two-year contract with Glasgow City.[21] In August 2015, she was named SWPL Player of the Month.[22] She was also named Glasgow City Players’ Player of the Year, Coaches’ Player of the Year and Fans' Player of the Year in both 2014 and 2015.[23]

Houston Dash (2016–2017)

On 19 March 2016, O'Sullivan signed with the Houston Dash.[24] She made her first appearance in a 0–0 home draw with Sky Blue on 30 April, coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute.[25] On 7 May, she came on as a substitute at halftime and scored her first goal in a 2–1 away victory against FC Kansas City.[26] She finished the 2016 season with 2 goals and 5 assists in 18 appearances. In 2017, 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. On 26 July 2017, she requested to be placed on waivers.[27]

North Carolina Courage (2017–present)

On 28 July 2017, O'Sullivan was claimed off waivers by the North Carolina Courage.[28] On 10 August, she made her debut in a 1–0 win over FC Kansas City. On 8 October, O'Sullivan scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute of the semi-final against the Chicago Red Stars.[29] She made a total of 9 appearances for the Courage in 2017, scoring one goal. At the end of the 2018 regular season, she was voted the Most Valuable Player on the team by her Courage teammates.[30] On 22 September 2018, O'Sullivan played the entire match as the Courage won the NWSL Championship 3–0 over the Portland Thorns.

On 11 October 2019, the Courage announced that O'Sullivan had been voted by her team mates as the team MVP for the second consecutive season. The press release noted that O'Sullivan had started 22 of 23 game, had distributed 1,102 passes (50/game), and had a pass success rate of 84%.[31] O'Sullivan started and played the entire match as the Courage won the 2019 NWSL championship.

Loan to Canberra United (2018–2019)

On 18 October 2018, O'Sullivan was signed by Canberra United as their guest player for the 2018–19 season and was given the number 11 shirt.[32] On 28 October 2018, she made her debut in a 2–0 home victory against Melbourne City.[33]

Loan to the Western Sydney Wanderers (2019–)

On October 29, 2019 it was announced that O'Sullivan would join her North Carolina Courage teammates Lynn Williams and Kristen Hamilton at W-League team the Western Sydney Wanderers. O'Sullivan signed a loan deal with the club as a guest player.[34]

International career
O'Sullivan playing for Ireland in 2015

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.[35]

On 17 September 2011, O'Sullivan made her senior debut and scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Wales.[36] In 2015, she was named FAI Senior International Player of the Year.[37]

International goals
Scores and results list Ireland's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentResultCompetitionScored
217 September 2011Newport Stadium, Newport Wales2–02013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.2
322 October 2011Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Israel2–02013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1
45 April 2012Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh Scotland1–22013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1
522 September 2013Carlisle Grounds, Bray Slovakia2–02015 FIFA World Cup Qual.1
630 October 2013Ob Jezeru City Stadium, Velenje Slovenia3–02015 FIFA Women's World Cup Qual.1
710 March 2014Tasos Markou, Paralimni  Switzerland2–12014 Cyprus Cup1
814 June 2014Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Croatia1–02015 FIFA World Cup Qual.1
97 April 2016Stadion pod Malim brdom, Petrovac Montenegro5–02017 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1

Honours

Club
Glasgow City
North Carolina Courage

Individual

References
  1. "Irish international Denise O'Sullivan leaves Houston Dash by mutual consent". Extratime. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  2. "Women's (Junior) Wilton United 3 – 1 Longford Town". Blarney United. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  3. "St. Catherine's claim FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup". Football Association of Ireland. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  4. "Cork Women's FC Denise O'Sullivan captains U19's". Women's National League. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  5. "Denise O'Sullivan player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  6. 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.
  7. "Denise O'Sullivan player profile". Extratime. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  8. "Women suffer Cork setback". Irish Independent. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  9. "WNL Award Winners Announced". Women's National League. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  10. "Denise O'Sullivan signs with Peamount for Champions League". Extratime. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  11. "Top Scorers - 2012-2013 Women's National League". Extratime. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  12. "Glasgow City sign Republic of Ireland star Denise O'Sullivan". Glasgow City F.C. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  13. "Irish striker is second City signing". The Herald. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  14. "Denise O'Sullivan helps Glasgow City defeat Rangers". BBC Sport. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  15. "Glasgow City get off to perfect European start". Glasgow City F.C. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  16. "Glasgow City into the last 16 after defeating Standard Liege". Glasgow City F.C. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  17. "Denise O'Sullivan agrees a new contract with Glasgow City". Glasgow City F.C. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  18. "Player appearances (2013)". Glasgow City F.C. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  19. "Player goals (2013)". Glasgow City F.C. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  20. "Denise O'Sullivan named SWPL Players' Player of the Year". Glasgow City F.C. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  21. "Denise O'Sullivan extends her stay with the Champions". Glasgow City F.c. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  22. "Denise O'Sullivan is SWPL Player of the Month". Glasgow City F.C. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  23. "Denise O'Sullivan transfers to Houston Dash". Glasgow City F.C. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  24. "Houston Dash sign Irish forward Denise O'Sullivan". Houston Dynamo. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  25. "Dash held to scoreless draw by Sky Blue FC". Houston Dynamo. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  26. "Houston defeats FC Kansas City 2-1 for first away victory in the series". Houston Dynamo. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  27. "It was affecting everything, my happiness. In the end I said, 'I'm going to stand up for myself here'". The42. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  28. "North Carolina Courage adds firepower to roster with Denise O'Sullivan". North Carolina Courage. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  29. "Cork's Denise O'Sullivan grabs crucial game-winning goal as North Carolina book final place". The42. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  30. "NC Courage Announces Team Awards". North Carolina Courage. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  31. https://www.nccourage.com/news_article/show/1056235
  32. "NWSL Champion O'Sullivan signs in Canberra". Canberra United. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  33. "REPORT | United kick-off Season 11 with a win". Canberra United. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  34. "After starring in her US side's second-straight title triumph, O'Sullivan set for another stint in Australia". the 42. 29 October 2019.
  35. "O'Sullivan: Irish are dreaming of Canada". FIFA. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  36. "Victory for Women's senior and U19 teams". Football Association of Ireland. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  37. "Senior Women's International Player of the Year". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
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