Youghal native Charlie O’Brien signs for Cardiff and Brian Barry Murphy

Brian Barry Murphy has started life at Cardiff City by signing Youghal native Charlie O’Brien, brother of Republic of Ireland international Jake.

The defender, who most recently played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland First Division, will link up with the club’s U21s.

This was one of three signings made by Cardiff on Thursday afternoon, with Gabriel Keita and Matthew Apter also recruited by the EFL League One side.

Academy Manager Gavin Chesterfield made sure to highlight the individual attributes of each new players, including Charlie O’Brien.

"For Charlie, this is his first opportunity at full-time football, but all the metrics are there that he can have a successful career,” he said.

“He's a right-back that is comfortable doing both sides of the game, supporting the play going forward and embracing the challenge of 1v1 defending.

To Charlie, this is an opportunity to be back in football after finishing out the 2024 campaign with Cobh.

“I’m delighted to be here and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that the Club has given me. Hopefully, I can repay that back to them now,” he said.

“I’m a hard-working player who likes to get on the ball, but mainly, I love to defend, I’m very physical and up for a battle. 

"My aim is to work as hard as I can in training to hopefully get an opportunity.” 

Charlie O’Brien began life with Youghal United and Midleton before moving to Cork City to play for their U15s and U17s.

The defender failed to make a first team appearance at Turner’s Cross, and he went to St Colman’s for senior football.

The Youghal native broke through at Cobh under Shane Keegan during the 2023 season, with his campaign seeing 11 appearances and an assist during a 1-0 victory over Longford Town.

Charlie O’Brien was a member of the Rams squad that got to the Munster Senior Cup final and defeated Cork City 1-0 at Turner’s Cross.

The defender will now line out in the Cardiff City academy, underneath the watch of Cork native Brian Barry Murphy.

The coach has a proven track record of working and developing young players, with his career including a stint as Manchester City Elite Development Squad manager.

This week also saw Jaze Kabia join Grimsby Town after a spell with Truro City in National League South.

The former College Corinthians and Douglas Hall player is a graduate of the Cobh Ramblers academy, and his League of Ireland journey included a stint with Shelbourne during their 2019 First Division winning campaign.

Kabia also came home during the second half of the 2023 season and was a member of the Cork City squad that lost the promotion-relegation play-off to Waterford at Tallaght Stadium.