[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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We had a defender called Debbie Short ? Dave Austin & Deb Mulligan???

 

Who is Anthony Kane? I don't remember him for us.

 

A 'no-nonsense' defender? His game was fully based on nonsense.

 

If only Debbie Short and Deb Mulligan were turning out today. We'd be assured of a clean sheet and three points.

 

Looked a good prospect when he first came into the side. Sadly he regressed, but it can’t have helped coming into a struggling team.

 

Our CEO should be ashamed of allowing his club to put out such rubbish on such a regular basis

 

A nothing-but-nonsense defender

 

Jesus H Christ.

I’ll leave it there.

 

Brian was a lovely lad quiet and humble.Not the best defender we've had but always a trier.
His best game for Barnsley in my opinion was in a reserve game.After 7 minutes we'd had 2 goalkeepers sent off.So playing the remainder of the game with 9 men Brian went in goal.I think he conceded 4 goals but he had a really decent game in the nets saving us from a total masacre.

 

What a pathetic article. Shambolic effort.

 

He was briefly married to my niece for a while. The wedding was in Limerick Cathedral.

 

I think they've gone for the word association angle for folk like Mr Dawson.
Debbie -> Austin -> Texas -> Dallas.

Debbie does Dallas!!

 

Is that an early April Fools Day prank or has O'Callaghan taken the piss and they've taken him at his word? I can see Antony Kaye, Neil Austin and Dave Mulligan but who the hell could Debbie Short be?

 

There was a young man called Brian .....

 

Dangerous Bri

 

Does your niece have a twin sister?

 

Enjoyed the day tinman scored in the 0-1 win

 

Was just about to write exactly the same. He was 100% pure unadulterated nonsense.

Dangerous Brian - the answer to a question that no one ever asked.

 

The back 4 that day was Mulligan, Dangerous Bri, Kay and Austin, so he's clearly referring to himself, but I'm not sure what he could have said. Maybe he's tans and that's his new name.


I cannot think of a better example of what a state the club is in than this article. How can it possibly have been published.