[BFC SITE] O’Callaghan Remembers Mansfield Magic Ahead of Reds’ Return to One Call Stadium

Fixtures

• Mansfield Town Vs. Barnsley - Sat, Mar 15 2025, 15:00

As Barnsley prepare for their first visit to Mansfield Town since April 2003, one former Red knows all about making memories at the One Call Stadium.


Brian O’Callaghan, a no-nonsense defender who came through the Oakwell ranks, scored his only goal for the Club on that very day – and it proved to be a vital one.

Reflecting on that crucial clash, O’Callaghan recalled the pressure that weighed heavily on the side at the time.

"It was a high-pressure game," he explained. "We weren't going too well at the time and we were nearly getting sucked into a bit of a relegation battle. I think the game was fairly scrappy with a very young team. I think the whole back four came through the academy. Think about Debbie Short played centre back with Anthony Kane, Dave Austin and Deb Mulligan playing, so quite a young team."

It was O’Callaghan’s header that secured a priceless three points that day – a moment that remains etched in his memory.

"I think we deserved to win, and we won with my only goal for the club, which proved to be fairly important at the time," he smiled. "It was from a corner on the right-hand side. I think Chris Lumsden was on corners but he had shanked a couple! So Kevin Donovan was on them after that, and he just pinged in more of a driven ball than an outswinger. I just managed to get my head on it and get a good contact on it – and it went in over the ‘keeper."

The victory proved to be a catalyst for Barnsley’s survival that season, as O’Callaghan and his young teammates rallied during a difficult period.

"We had a lot of young players that kind of got through it together, so we were a fairly close unit. A week later, we won again. I think Isaiah Rankin scored and I think we won one-nil. We ended up staying clear of relegation fairly comfortably. We were in a sticky situation, but we gathered together and fought for all we could for the last few weeks."

For O’Callaghan, who joined Barnsley as a teenager from Ireland, Oakwell was where he forged his footballing education and made lifelong memories.

"Playing for Barnsley was probably the highlight of my career," he admitted. "I came over as a kid from Ireland, came through the academy into the first team at 19. The best days for me were the Derby matches against Wednesday or United. We had an FA Cup game against Leeds when Leeds were flying high in the Premier League. Those Yorkshire derbies were always immense. The crowd were always brilliant on those days and most days backing us."

One game, in particular, stands out for the former defender.

"I always remember playing an evening game against Sheffield Wednesday," he said. "I can't remember what year it was. I remember it being one-all. I just stood back and took in the atmosphere. And I said, ‘this may be my last forever.’ And I was right. 20,000+ there, two sets of fans who were giving as much as each other. It was quite a special evening for myself."

Despite the challenges during his six-year spell at Oakwell, O’Callaghan has nothing but fondness for his time at the Club.

"I met a lot of good people over there, a lot of coaches – Colin Walker, Mark Smith. Through the Academy and then Barnsley coaches like Eric Winstanley and Peter Shirtliff – really good coaches there to give you a footing in the game. I was thoroughly enjoying my time at the Club and living in the town. I wish I was there for longer," he reflected. "I stayed for six years. I had six or seven different managers. There was no real stability amongst the club at the time. We went into administration as well, so it was a difficult period for the club. I just wish the Club could have been more stable whilst I was there and I could have spent a bit longer there."

O’Callaghan was recently back at Oakwell as part of the Alumni initiative, a visit he says brought home the sense of community that makes Barnsley FC so special.

"It was brilliant," he said. "I got to see some old faces, meet some new friends. I got to see some ex-players and people involved in the Club. It was a great initiative by the club. It makes you feel part of a family that the football club is. It’s where I kind of grew up, in football, you know what I mean? I learned a lot over there. It holds a close place in my heart."

And as the current Reds eye a strong end to the season, O’Callaghan is backing them to rise to the challenge once again.

"This is the business end of the season – you take the result in any way at all," he added. "I'm sure they're more than capable of going on a four or five game winning streak, which would see them get pushed back up towards the play-offs. We’d have to hope for that."

As Barnsley make their long-awaited return to Mansfield, they’ll be hoping to recreate a little of O’Callaghan’s magic from that spring afternoon in 2003.

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