Darren O'Dea Player Profile

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Personal

  • Full Name: Darren O'Dea
  • Born: February 4th, 1987 (Dublin, Ireland)
  • Height: 6' 1

Career

  • Position: Defender
  • Signed: January 7th, 2016
  • Date Left Club: May 19th, 2019
  • First Manager: Paul Hartley
  • Dundee Career Totals:
    102 first team competitive appearances
    5 first team competitive goals
  • Also Played For: Blackpool, Celtic, East Kilbride, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Metalurh Donetsk, Mumbai City, Reading, Toronto FC


Dundee Career Summary

Competitive Friendlies Other (War)
2015-16 19- - - - -
2016-17 39 5 3- - -
2017-18 20 (2)-2 (1) 2 - -
2018-19 21 (1)- - - - -
TOTAL 99 (3) 5 5 (1) 2 - -

NOTES:
Other Cups may include: Anglo-Scottish Cup, Challenge Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Drybrough Cup, International Soccer League, League Cup, Summer Cup, Texaco Cup.


Biography

Born in Dublin, Darren O'Dea played for Home Farm before he was signed by Celtic as a teenager and made his way through the reserves and academy side to make his first-team debut aged 19 in the Scottish League Cup against St Mirren in September 2006. A month later, O'Dea made his league debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, playing the last 30 minutes after coming on for Gary Caldwell.

Within two months Darren was playing Champions League football when he came on for Stephen McManus away at FC Copenhagen in December and at the end of the month scored his first professional goal against Dundee United as Celtic fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 shortly before Darren’s 20th birthday.

He turned out over 50 times for Celtic with his crowning moment coming as he scored the first goal in a 2-0 League Cup final win over Rangers in 2009 for which he is fondly remembered at Parkhead.

The following season he spent time on loan in the English Championship with Reading before returning to be a regular in the Celtic first team where he captained the side after McManus went on loan to Middlesbrough and Caldwell left for Wigan.

Darren then had two further loan spells in the Championship down south. Firstly, a season long spell with Ipswich before returning for another season in the same division, this time with Leeds United

His next move saw him leave Celtic Park on a permanent basis with two SPL and one Scottish Cup and one League Cup winners medals in his back pocket and he moved to the MLS to join Toronto FC in 2012. Darren then joined Ukrainian side FC Metalurh Donetsk before moving back to England on a short-term deal with Blackpool.

In the summer of 2015, Darren joined Nicolas Anelka’s Mumbai City in the Indian Super League club moving on after the end of their season in December.

Before coming to Dens Park, O’Dea won 20 full caps for the Republic of Ireland after also captaining the Under-21 side and he won the Ireland Young International Player of the Year Award in 2012.

He was first called up in May 2008, in Giovanni Trapattoni's first squad as Ireland manager but had to wait for 16 months for his senior-team international debut in a 1–0 friendly win over South Africa at Thomond Park in Limerick as a 60th-minute substitute for Paul McShane.

In 2011 O’Dea was part of the Ireland squad which won the Carling Nations Cup, coming on as a sub against Wales and starting in the final match against Scotland in which they lifted the trophy.

The following year O’Dea was part of the Ireland squad that went to Euro 2012 and although he didn’t get any game time, he did score his first international goal just after the tournament with an 88th-minute header, in a World Cup qualifying match against the Faroe Islands in October, which Ireland won 4–1.

O’Dea joined Dundee in January 2016 and made his Dark Blue debut in a 4-2 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill and his home debut two weeks later in a 2-2 draw with Motherwell.

Darren made a made a great impression on and off the park and quickly became a key component of the Dark Blues’ defence and signed a three-year extension to his deal in April as the Dark Blues secured a top six finish.

During season 2015/16, in the long term absence of skipper James McPake, O’Dea was captaining the side and scored his first goal for the club in the 6-2 Betfred Cup win over Dumbarton at Dens in July.

He scored a further four times in the 2016/17 season and stepped up to the plate as penalty taker in the two games against Ross County in April and May. After the second one at Dens, O’Dea sprinted towards and jumped into the South Enclosure; a celebration that will be talked about for years to come as the Dark Blues survival was secured.

A favourite with the Dark Blue support, entertaining the fans with his singing at the Player of the Year Dinner, Darren was appointed as club captain by manager Neil McCann in the summer of 2017.

He remained at Dens Park for another two seasons until on May 7th, 2019, he announced on his Twitter page that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign and retire from being a full-time professional footballer.

In the summer it was announced that Darren was to sign for his local Lowland League side East Kilbride but without making an appearance he left to focus on full-time coaching commitments with Motherwell.

Just two months later O’Dea left Motherwell to join his first love Celtic as manager of their Under 18s.

In a dark blue jersey O’Dea was always committed to the cause, making 102 appearances, scoring five times. He reveled in the big game atmosphere and never lost a derby in four games against United.

Debut

January 16th, 2016
Partick Thistle 2 - 4 Dundee

League (Premiership)


Playing Statistics - First Team Competitive matches (All Seasons)


Competition NPS Win % Draw % Loss %
League 85 (3)420 273
Scottish Cup 6-1 2-
League Cup 812 3-
Totals: 99 (3)523 323

 Recent Starting Appearances (First Team Competitive matches)
 18/05/19 Scottish Premiership vs. St Mirren (H) 2 - 3
 11/05/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Livingston (A) 1 - 0
 04/05/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Hamilton (H) 0 - 1
 20/04/19 Scottish Premiership vs. St Johnstone (A) 0 - 2
 06/04/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Aberdeen (H) 0 - 2

 Recent Goals Scored (First Team Competitive matches)
 13/05/17 Premiership vs. Ross County (H) 1 - 1
 04/04/17 Premiership vs. Ross County (A) 1 - 2
 04/02/17 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (A) 2 - 2
 23/12/16 Premiership vs. Hearts (H) 3 - 2
 23/07/16 Group A vs. Dumbarton (H) 6 - 2

 List of First Team Competitive matches played (click to expand)
 18/05/19 Scottish Premiership vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 3
 11/05/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Livingston (A)  1 - 0
 04/05/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Hamilton (H)  0 - 1
 27/04/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Motherwell (A)  3 - 4
 20/04/19 Scottish Premiership vs. St Johnstone (A)  0 - 2
 06/04/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 2
 03/04/19 Scottish Premiership vs. St Johnstone (A)  0 - 2
 30/03/19 Scottish Premiership vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 2
 17/03/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 1
 09/03/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 1
 27/02/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 4
 22/02/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 4
 16/02/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Livingston (A)  2 - 1
 06/02/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (H)  2 - 2
 29/01/19 4th Round Replay vs. Queen of South (A)  0 - 3
 26/01/19 Scottish Premiership vs. Motherwell (H)  0 - 1
 29/12/18 Scottish Premiership vs. St Johnstone (H)  0 - 2
 26/12/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Livingston (H)  0 - 0
 18/12/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 5
 15/12/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (A)  1 - 3
 05/12/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Hamilton (H)  4 - 0
 24/11/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 2
 10/11/18 Scottish Premiership vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 1
 03/11/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Motherwell (A)  0 - 1
 31/10/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 5
 23/10/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 3
 20/10/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Livingston (A)  0 - 4
 06/10/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 2
 29/09/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Hamilton (A)  2 - 0
 22/09/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Hibernian (H)  0 - 3
 15/09/18 Scottish Premiership vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 4
 28/07/18 Group D vs. Brechin City (H)  2 - 0
 25/07/18 Cup Group D vs. Peterhead (A)  2 - 0
 08/05/18 Premiership vs. Ross County (A)  1 - 0
 05/05/18 Premiership vs. Hamilton (H)  1 - 0
 28/04/18 Premiership vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 2
 21/04/18 Premiership vs. St Johnstone (H)  2 - 1
 01/04/18 Premiership vs. Hearts (H)  1 - 1
 17/03/18 Premiership vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 1
 10/03/18 Premiership vs. St Johnstone (H)  0 - 4
 24/02/18 Premiership vs. Motherwell (H)  0 - 1
 17/02/18 Premiership vs. Partick (A)  2 - 1
 13/02/18 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (A)  2 - 3
 10/02/18 5th Round vs. Motherwell (H)  0 - 2
 03/02/18 Premiership vs. Ross County (H)  1 - 4
 30/01/18 4th Round Replay vs. Inverness CT (A)  1 - 0
 27/01/18 Premiership vs. Hamilton (A)  2 - 1
 24/01/18 Premiership vs. Hibernian (H)  0 - 1
 20/01/18 4th Round vs. Inverness CT (H)  2 - 2
 26/12/17 Premiership vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 2
 23/12/17 Premiership vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 1
 16/12/17 Premiership vs. Partick (H)  3 - 0
 12/12/17 Premiership vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 2
 08/12/17 Premiership vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 1
 18/11/17 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (H)  0 - 0
 25/10/17 Premiership vs. Motherwell (H)  0 - 1
 21/10/17 Premiership vs. Partick (A)  1 - 2
 14/10/17 Premiership vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 1
 30/09/17 Premiership vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 1
 20/09/17 Quarter Final vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 4
 16/09/17 Premiership vs. St Johnstone (H)  3 - 2
 09/09/17 Premiership vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 4
 12/08/17 Premiership vs. Hamilton (A)  0 - 3
 05/08/17 Premiership vs. Ross County (H)  1 - 2
 30/07/17 Group C vs. Dundee Utd (H)  1 - 1
 26/07/17 Group C vs. Cowdenbeath (A)  3 - 0
 18/07/17 Group C vs. Raith Rovers (A)  2 - 1
 20/05/17 Premiership vs. Hamilton (A)  0 - 4
 17/05/17 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (H)  0 - 2
 13/05/17 Premiership vs. Ross County (H)  1 - 1
 06/05/17 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (A)  1 - 0
 29/04/17 Premiership vs. Motherwell (A)  3 - 2
 15/04/17 Premiership vs. Hamilton (H)  0 - 2
 08/04/17 Premiership vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 1
 04/04/17 Premiership vs. Ross County (A)  1 - 2
 31/03/17 Premiership vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 7
 19/03/17 Premiership vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 2
 11/03/17 Premiership vs. St Johnstone (A)  0 - 2
 01/03/17 Premiership vs. Partick (H)  0 - 1
 25/02/17 Premiership vs. Motherwell (A)  5 - 1
 19/02/17 Premiership vs. Rangers (H)  2 - 1
 11/02/17 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 1
 04/02/17 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (A)  2 - 2
 28/12/16 Premiership vs. Partick (A)  0 - 2
 23/12/16 Premiership vs. Hearts (H)  3 - 2
 17/12/16 Premiership vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 2
 10/12/16 Premiership vs. Ross County (H)  0 - 0
 03/12/16 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (A)  0 - 2
 26/11/16 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (H)  2 - 1
 19/11/16 Premiership vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 1
 05/11/16 Premiership vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 0
 29/10/16 Premiership vs. Hamilton (A)  1 - 0
 26/10/16 Premiership vs. Partick (H)  0 - 2
 23/10/16 Premiership vs. St Johnstone (A)  1 - 2
 01/10/16 Premiership vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 1
 24/09/16 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (A)  1 - 3
 18/09/16 Premiership vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 3
 10/09/16 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 1
 27/08/16 Premiership vs. Motherwell (A)  0 - 0
 19/08/16 Premiership vs. Hamilton (H)  1 - 1
 13/08/16 Premiership vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 2
 06/08/16 Premiership vs. Ross County (A)  3 - 1
 30/07/16 Group A vs. Forfar (H)  7 - 0
 26/07/16 Group A vs. Peterhead (A)  1 - 2
 23/07/16 Group A vs. Dumbarton (H)  6 - 2
 16/07/16 Group A vs. East Fife (A)  1 - 1
 14/05/16 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (A)  0 - 4
 11/05/16 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 1
 07/05/16 Premiership vs. Hamilton (H)  0 - 1
 02/05/16 Premiership vs. Dundee Utd (H)  2 - 1
 23/04/16 Premiership vs. Partick (A)  2 - 1
 09/04/16 Premiership vs. Hamilton (A)  1 - 2
 05/04/16 Premiership vs. Celtic (H)  0 - 0
 02/04/16 Premiership vs. Ross County (H)  5 - 2
 20/03/16 Premiership vs. Dundee Utd (A)  2 - 2
 12/03/16 Premiership vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 1
 05/03/16 Quarter Final vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 4
 27/02/16 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (H)  1 - 1
 23/02/16 5th Round Replay vs. Dumbarton (H)  5 - 0
 20/02/16 Premiership vs. Kilmarnock (A)  0 - 0
 12/02/16 Premiership vs. St Johnstone (H)  2 - 0
 06/02/16 5th Round vs. Dumbarton (A)  0 - 0
 30/01/16 Premiership vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 2
 22/01/16 Premiership vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 1
 16/01/16 Premiership vs. Partick (A)  4 - 2

 List of First Team Competitive goals scored (click to expand)
 13/05/17 Premiership vs. Ross County (H)  1 - 1
 04/04/17 Premiership vs. Ross County (A)  1 - 2
 04/02/17 Premiership vs. Inverness CT (A)  2 - 2
 23/12/16 Premiership vs. Hearts (H)  3 - 2
 23/07/16 Group A vs. Dumbarton (H)  6 - 2

  = Starting Appearances (Sub Appearances) | = Goals | NPS = Squad Appearances (as Non-Playing Sub) | GtGR = Goals to Games Ratio
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in


Timeline

  • Date of Birth

    Wednesday, February 4th, 1987

  • Signed For Dundee

    Thursday, January 7th, 2016

  • First Team Debut

    Partick 2 - 4 Dundee
    League (Premiership)

    Saturday, January 16th, 2016

  • First Goal

    Dundee 6 - 2 Dumbarton
    League Cup (Group A)

    Saturday, July 23rd, 2016

  • First League Goal

    Dundee 3 - 2 Hearts
    League (Premiership)

    Friday, December 23rd, 2016

  • 50th Appearance

    Dundee 0 - 7 Aberdeen
    League (Premiership)

    Friday, March 31st, 2017

  • 50th League Appearance

    Dundee 0 - 2 Inverness CT
    League (Premiership)

    Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

  • 100th Appearance

    Dundee 0 - 1 Hamilton
    League (Scottish Premiership)

    Saturday, May 4th, 2019

  • Last Appearance

    Dundee 2 - 3 St Mirren
    League (Scottish Premiership)

    Saturday, May 18th, 2019

  • Left the Club

    Sunday, May 19th, 2019


International Career (Ireland)