Jump to content

Denise O'Sullivan

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Denise O'Sullivan
Photo of Denise O'Sullivan playing in a North Carolina Courage match in 2023
O'Sullivan with the North Carolina Courage in 2024
Personal information
Full name Denise Rebecca O'Sullivan[1]
Date of birth (1994-02-04) 4 February 1994 (age 30)
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 117 (22)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 March 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23 November 2024

Denise Rebecca O'Sullivan (born 4 February 1994) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club North Carolina Courage, which she captains, and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Born in Cork, O'Sullivan started her career with the Irish club Wilton United and joined the newly-formed Cork City at the outset of the Women's National League (WNL) in 2011. She also played for Peamount United in the County Dublin club's UEFA Women's Champions League campaigns in 2011 and 2012. In July 2013, she signed her first professional contract with Glasgow City of the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL).

After a successful spell in Glasgow, which included being named 2014 SWPL Players' Player of the Year, O'Sullivan signed with Houston Dash of the NWSL in March 2016. In 2017, she signed with North Carolina Courage and helped the team win three consecutive NWSL Shield titles and two consecutive NWSL Championships. At North Carolina, O'Sullivan was voted most valuable player (MVP) by her teammates in both 2018 and 2019. She played on-loan for Australian W-League clubs Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers and English club Brighton & Hove Albion during the NWSL offseason.

In 2015 and 2020, 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

[edit]

"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

[edit]

Beginnings

[edit]

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)

[edit]

After her performance in the 2011 FAI Women's Cup final,[10] 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,[2] before returning to her hometown and joining newly founded Cork Women's FC, one of the six teams that competed in the Women's National League's (WNL) inaugural 2011–12 season.[11] On 13 November 2011, she made her debut in a 6–1 loss to Peamount United.[12] On 15 January 2012, she scored her first goal in a 3–1 away win over Wexford Youths.[13] In her first season, she scored six goals in 15 appearances and was named to the league's Best XI.[14] 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.[2] After the club's exit from the Champions League, she returned to Cork[15] and finished her second season with two goals in 11 appearances.[16][12]

Glasgow City (2013–2015)

[edit]

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 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.[25] On 16 December 2014, she signed a new two-year contract with Glasgow City.[26] In August 2015, she was named SWPL Player of the Month.[27] 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.[28]

Houston Dash (2016–2017)

[edit]
photo of O'Sullivan warming up for Houston Dash, April 2017
O'Sullivan warming up for Houston Dash, April 2017

On 19 March 2016, O'Sullivan signed with the Houston Dash,[29] who paid Glasgow an undisclosed "four figure" transfer fee, which was the first time a Scottish women's club was paid a compensation fee for a player.[30] She made her first appearance during the 2016 season in a 0–0 home draw with Sky Blue on 30 April, coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute.[31] On 7 May, she came on as a substitute at halftime and scored her first goal in a 2–1 away victory against 2015 champion FC Kansas City.[32] She finished the 2016 season with 2 goals and 5 assists in 18 appearances.[2]

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)

[edit]

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 2018 regular season, O'Sullivan made 22 appearances with 22 starts playing primarily as a holding midfielder.[2][37] She played a total of 1,932 minutes on the pitch for the Courage.[2] North Carolina finished in first place and won the NWSL Shield for the second consecutive season with a 17–1–6 record.[2] O'Sullivan was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) on the team by her Courage teammates at the end of the season.[38] On 22 September, O'Sullivan played the entire match as the Courage won the NWSL Championship 3–0 over the Portland Thorns FC, the first time the Courage had won the title.[37][39] O'Sullivan was named MVP by her team.[40]

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 2019 season, O'Sullivan was a starter in 22 of the 24 games she played.[2] The Courage finished in first place with a 15–5–4 record winning the NWSL Shield for the third consecutive season.[2] On 11 October, the Courage announced that O'Sullivan had been voted MVP by the team for the second consecutive year. O'Sullivan had distributed 1,102 passes (50 per game) and had a pass success rate of 84%.[42] After defeating Reign FC 4–1 in the semi-finals,[43] O'Sullivan helped lead the Courage win their second NWSL Championship shutting out the Chicago Red Stars 4–0 in the final. O'Sullivan started and played the entire match.[44] Teammate Sam Mewis said O'Sullivan was 'the "glue" that holds the team together, winning tackles and spraying the ball wide from a deeper position.'[45]

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] However, she made only five appearances for the Courage in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before going on loan to Brighton.[2] O'Sullivan made 23 appearances with 23 starts in the 2021 season, helping the Courage finish in sixth place.[47]

O'Sullivan played every minute of the preseason 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup, in which the Courage defeated the Washington Spirit 2–1 in the final. She made 19 appearances and 18 starts in the regular season as the Courage finished seventh, missing the playoffs.[48]

O'Sullivan was named captain of the Courage ahead of the 2023 season.[49] On April 19, 2023, she scored a last-minute goal against the Orlando Pride to draw 1–1 in the Challenge Cup group stage.[50] She helped the Courage defend that title as they defeated Racing Louisville 2–0 in the final.[51] She was named to the NWSL Second XI at the end of the season. She started all 20 games in which she played and ranked top five in the league in pass accuracy and duels won.[52]

On July 29, 2024, O'Sullivan contract was extended to keep her with the Courage through the end of 2026.[53]

Loans

[edit]
photo of O'Sullivan playing for Canberra United, November 2018
O'Sullivan playing for Canberra United, November 2018

On 18 October 2018, O'Sullivan was signed by Canberra United as their guest player for the 2018–19 W-League season and was given the number 11 shirt.[54] As a guest player in the W-League, she is permitted to play seven non-consecutive games.[55] On 28 October 2018, she made her debut in a 2–0 home victory against Melbourne City.[56] The Sydney Morning Herald reported that O'Sullivan had been "a sensation" in her seven games for the club.[4]

For the 2019–20 W-League season, O'Sullivan was loaned once again to an Australian club, joining her North Carolina Courage teammates Lynn Williams and Kristen Hamilton at Western Sydney Wanderers as a guest player.[57] She made her debut for the club on 22 November during a 1–0 against Newcastle Jets FC.[2] During a 4–0 win against Canberra United on 26 December, she scored in the 59th minute doubling the team's advantage.[58][59] O'Sullivan was a starting midfielder in all seven games that she played.[2] Western Sydney finished the regular season in fourth place.[60] Their fourth place finish earned the team a berth to the semi-finals where they were defeated 5–1 by eventual champions, Melbourne City.[61]

In September 2020, O'Sullivan moved on loan to English FA WSL club Brighton & Hove Albion through 31 December 2020.[62] She wanted to be available for Ireland's rescheduled UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying Group I fixtures. Travelling back and forth from the United States would force her to undergo three separate two-week periods of quarantine within nine weeks.[63] She made her debut for Brighton as a half-time substitute for fellow Corkonian Megan Connolly in a 0–0 draw at Manchester City on 13 September 2020.[64] She was a starting midfielder in eight of the nine matches she played.[2]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]
photo of O'Sullivan playing for Ireland in 2015
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.[65]

Senior

[edit]

On 17 September 2011, O'Sullivan made her senior debut and scored both goals in a 2–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying Group 4 win over Wales in Newport.[66] She headed Ireland into the lead over Scotland in their Euro 2013 qualifier at Tynecastle Stadium in April 2012, but the Scots staged a late comeback to win 2–1.[67]

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.[68] She was named 2015 FAI Senior International Player of the Year.[69]

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.[70]

Style of play

[edit]

O'Sullivan emerged as a promising forward with the Irish youth national teams.[71] 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."[72]

O'Sullivan is noted as an aggressive player and was nicknamed "junkyard" by her coach.[73] In November 2019, Ireland's head coach Vera Pauw declared O'Sullivan one of the best players in the world: "There is no player in the world at this moment that is a playmaker but also the motor in winning the ball back. She has everything."[3] In December 2019, she was included in The Guardian's The 100 Best Female Footballers In The World and was described as "a combative presence in the Courage midfield [and] the heartbeat of Paul Riley's successful side."[74]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
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 13 2
2024 6 1
Total 117 22
Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goals first. Score column indicates score after each O'Sullivan goal. Updated as of 23 November 2024.
International goals scored by Denise O'Sullivan
No. Cap Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 1 17 September 2011 Newport Stadium, Newport  Wales 1-0 2-0 2013 UEFA Women's Championship
qual. Group 4		 [75]
2 2-0
3 3 22 October 2011 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin  Israel 1-0 2-0 [76]
4 7 5 April 2012 Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh  Scotland 1-0 1-2 [77]
5 19 22 September 2013 Carlisle Grounds, Bray  Slovakia 2-0 2-0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup UEFA qual. Group 1 [78]
6 21 30 October 2013 Ob Jezeru City Stadium, Velenje  Slovenia 3-0 3-0 [79]
7 24 10 March 2014 Tasos Markou, Paralimni  Switzerland 1-0 2-1 2014 Cyprus Women's Cup [80]
8 28 14 June 2014 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin  Croatia 1-0 1-0 2015 Women's World Cup UEFA qual. Group 1 [81]
9 48 7 April 2016 Stadion pod Malim brdom, Petrovac  Montenegro 4-0 5-0 2017 UEFA Women's Championship
qual. Group 2		 [82]
10 59 24 October 2017 NTC Senec, Senec  Slovakia 1-0 2-0 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup UEFA qual. Group 3 [83]
11 77 11 March 2020 Stadion pod Malim brdom, Petrovac  Montenegro 3-0 3-0 2022 UEFA Women's Championship
qual. Group I		 [84]
12 85 21 September 2021 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin  Australia 2-1 3-2 Friendly [85]
13 87 26 October 2021 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki  Finland 2-1 2-1 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup UEFA qual. Group A [86]
14 89 30 November 2021 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin  Georgia 4-0 11-0 [87]
15 5-0
16 6-0
17 92 22 February 2022 La Manga Club Football Stadium, La Manga  Wales 1-0 1-0 2022 Pinatar Cup [88]
18 94 27 June 2022 Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, Gori  Georgia 9-0 9-0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup UEFA qual. Group A [89]
19 96 6 September 2022 NTC Senec, Senec  Slovakia 1-0 1-0 [90]
20 107 26 September 2023 Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion, Budapest  Hungary 4-0 4-0 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League [91]
21 109 31 October 2023 Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër  Albania 1-0 1-0 [92]
22 115 16 July 2024 Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork  France 1-0 3-1 UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs [93]

Honours

[edit]
photo of O'Sullivan after playing in an international friendly in Portland, Oregon in November 2012
O'Sullivan (far right) after an international friendly against the United States, November 2012

Glasgow City

North Carolina Courage

Individual

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Denise O'Sullivan player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Hayes, Michael (21 December 2019). "Cork soccer star tells her story in her own words in revealing blog". Cork Beo. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b Proch, Danielle (12 May 2020). "NCFC Insider: Denise O'Sullivan's Street Football Days". North Carolina FC. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  7. ^ "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...
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "St. Catherine's claim FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup". Football Association of Ireland. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Cork Women's FC Denise O'Sullivan captains U19's". Women's National League. 20 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ a b "Denise O'Sullivan player profile". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  13. ^ Goodison, Dean (17 January 2012). "Women suffer Cork setback". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  14. ^ "WNL Award Winners Announced". Women's National League. 1 May 2012. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  15. ^ O'Mahony, Chris (31 July 2012). "Denise O'Sullivan signs with Peamount for Champions League". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Top Scorers – 2012–2013 Women's National League". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "Irish striker is second City signing". The Herald. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Denise O'Sullivan helps Glasgow City defeat Rangers". BBC Sport. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "Player appearances (2013)". Glasgow City F.C. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Player goals (2013)". Glasgow City F.C. Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ "Denise O'Sullivan extends her stay with the Champions". Glasgow City F.C. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ "Denise O'Sullivan is SWPL Player of the Month". Glasgow City F.C. 30 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "Houston Dash sign Irish forward Denise O'Sullivan". Houston Dynamo FC. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "Dash held to scoreless draw by Sky Blue FC". Houston Dynamo FC. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Houston defeats FC Kansas City 2–1 for first away victory in the series". Houston Dynamo FC. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  33. ^ O'Callaghan, Eoin (17 September 2017). "It was affecting everything, my happiness. In the end I said, 'I'm going to stand up for myself here'". The42. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  34. ^ "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.
  35. ^ Lee, Allison. "Courage win Shield with 4–0 shutout of Dash". The Equalizer. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  36. ^ O'Callaghan, Eoin (9 October 2017). "Cork's Denise O'Sullivan grabs crucial game-winning goal as North Carolina book final place". The42. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  37. ^ a b Leahy, Ed (23 September 2018). "Ireland's O'Sullivan wins US NWSL Championship with NC Courage". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  38. ^ "NC Courage Announces Team Awards". North Carolina Courage. 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  39. ^ Jones, Kaelen (22 September 2018). "NC Courage Beats Portland Thorns FC, Wins First-Ever NWSL Championship". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  40. ^ Gallagher, Aaron (21 September 2018). "Ireland international O'Sullivan named North Carolina MVP in US Women's Soccer League". The42. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ "Courage Survive Reign in Extra Time to Return to NWSL Final". Sports Illustrated. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  44. ^ "O'Sullivan's North Carolina Courage crush Chicago Red Stars to win second-straight title". The42. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  45. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (26 October 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan might be the best player no one is talking about". The Equalizer. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  46. ^ Kriger, Rachael (20 November 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan signs multi-year contract to remain with NC Courage". The Equalizer. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  47. ^ "2021 North Carolina Courage Stats (NWSL)". FBref.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  48. ^ "2022 North Carolina Courage Stats (NWSL)". FBref.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  49. ^ North Carolina Courage (10 February 2023). "Our New Captain". YouTube. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  50. ^ "O'Sullivan's goal in stoppage time salvages 1-1 tie for NC Courage in Orlando". wralsportsfan.com. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  51. ^ "Champions! Courage claim Challenge Cup with 2-0 win Saturday". North Carolina Courage. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  52. ^ "Courage land four on NWSL Best XI, presented by Mastercard". North Carolina Courage. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  53. ^ "Courage Captain Denise O'Sullivan signs through 2026". North Carolina Courage. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  54. ^ "NWSL Champion O'Sullivan signs in Canberra". Canberra United. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  55. ^ Locke, Cian (19 October 2018). "Hotshot Denise O'Sullivan makes Canberra guest move". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  56. ^ Lawrence, Caleb (28 October 2018). "Report | United kick-off Season 11 with a win". Canberra United. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  57. ^ Duffy, Emma (29 October 2019). "After starring in her US side's second-straight title triumph, O'Sullivan set for another stint in Australia". The42. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  58. ^ "Clinical Wanderers go top with four-goal win over Canberra". W-League. 26 December 2019. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  59. ^ "Canberra United vs. Western Sydney Wanderers 0–4". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  60. ^ "2019/2020 W-League". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  61. ^ "Melbourne City dominate Wanderers to progress to W-League grand final". The Guardian. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  62. ^ "Denise O'Sullivan: Brighton & Hove Albion Women sign Republic of Ireland striker". BBC Sport. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  63. ^ Ryan, Eoin (28 August 2020). "Denise O'Sullivan joins Brighton on loan to boost Irish Euro 2021 hopes". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  64. ^ "Denise O'Sullivan makes debut as Brighton hold star-studded Manchester City". The42. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  65. ^ "O'Sullivan: Irish are dreaming of Canada". FIFA. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  66. ^ "Victory for Women's senior and U19 teams". Football Association of Ireland. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  67. ^ "Scotland 2–1 Ireland". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  68. ^ "WNT begins Send-Off Series against Ireland on Mother's Day". United States Soccer Federation. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  69. ^ "Senior Women's International Player of the Year". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  70. ^ Farrell, Sinead (19 April 2018). "'She covers 12,000 metres a game. She's an absolute monster for that stuff'". The42. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  71. ^ "Women's U17 Player Profiles". Football Association of Ireland. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  72. ^ Whelan, James (9 September 2020). "Denise O'Sullivan's Brighton move confirmed as USA stars join Manchester United". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  73. ^ 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...
  74. ^ Laverty, Rich (6 December 2019). "The 100 best female footballers in the world 2019". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  75. ^ "Denise O'Sullivan the heroine on senior debut". Football Association of Ireland. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  76. ^ "Republic of Ireland 2–0 Israel". Football Association of Ireland. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  77. ^ "Scotland Women strike late to sink Republic of Ireland". BBC Sport. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  78. ^ "Republic of Ireland vs. Slovakia 2–0". Soccerway. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  79. ^ "Slovenia vs. Republic of Ireland 0–3". Soccerway. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  80. ^ "Republic of Ireland 2–1 Switzerland". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  81. ^ "Ronan relieved after late winner earns Ireland women vital World Cup qualifier win". The42. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  82. ^ Malone, Emmet (7 April 2016). "Ireland women score big win ahead of visit to table toppers". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  83. ^ "Two first-half goals make it two from two for Ireland as they target 2019 World Cup". The42. 24 October 2017.
  84. ^ Murpny, Éamonn (11 March 2020). "Denise O'Sullivan goal seals vital victory for Ireland away to Montenegro". The Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  85. ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (21 September 2021). "'Tigers one and all' - Ireland beat Australia in five goal thriller". The Irish Times. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  86. ^ Fallon, John (26 October 2021). "Megan Connolly and Denise O'Sullivan fire Ireland to famous Finland victory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  87. ^ Fallon, John (1 December 2021). "Ireland hat-trick hero Denise O'Sullivan focused on tougher tests ahead". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  88. ^ "Wales 0-1 WNT". FAI. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  89. ^ Duffy, Emma (27 June 2022). "Ireland beat Georgia 9-0 to ensure World Cup dream hits new heights". The 42. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  90. ^ 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.
  91. ^ "Hungary 0-4 WNT". FAI. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  92. ^ "Albania 0-1 WNT". FAI. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  93. ^ Limegreentangerine. "REPORT | Ireland WNT 3-1 France WNT". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  94. ^ "Denise O'Sullivan". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  95. ^ O’Riordan, Sean (7 February 2015). "VIDEO: Denise O'Sullivan hailed as a hometown star at Evening Echo awards". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  96. ^ a b c Duffy, Emma (8 January 2020). "Ireland star O'Sullivan named Player of the Month after making impact felt in Australia". The42. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  97. ^ "John Egan and Denise O'Sullivan win FAI international player of the year awards". BreakingNews.ie. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  98. ^ "PFA Ireland Awards 2018 | Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland". www.pfai.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  99. ^ "Sportsfile - PFA Ireland Awards 2019 - 1838327". www.sportsfile.com. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  100. ^ "The winner of the PFA Ireland International Women's Player of the Year 2020 is OSullivanDenise TheNCCourage Congratulations Denise!".
  101. ^ a b "NC Courage MVP Denise OSullivan Signs Multi-Year Contract with the Team". NC Courage. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  102. ^ 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.
  103. ^ O'Callaghan, Eoin (27 October 2019). "'I just need the ball' – Lavished with praise and awards in the US, Denise O'Sullivan chases more". The42. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  104. ^ Hannigan, Mary (14 November 2019). "Denise O'Sullivan wins Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of Month award". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  105. ^ "Another award for Denise". Cork Independent. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  106. ^ NWSL (6 November 2023). "NWSL Announces Winners of 2023 Mastercard Best XI Awards | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  107. ^ O'Connell, Barbara (21 August 2024). "Echo Women in Sport award: Denise O'Sullivan thrilled to hit the net on home turf". echo live. Retrieved 22 November 2024.

Further reading

[edit]
  • 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
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Denise O'Sullivan.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.eso.workers.dev/w/index.php?title=Denise_O%27Sullivan&oldid=1263714419"