Newcastle United terrace icon Liam O'Brien admits that his heroics on Wearside in a Toon shirt changed his life - but insist...
The ex-Republic of Ireland international netted twice in the Wear-Tyne derby to stun Sunderland fans at the old Roker Park. In 1991, a piece of technical brilliance Dennis Bergkamp would have been proud of was floated over Tony Norman and through the fog to net a precious point. Then a year later, O'Brien stepped up to score a winning goal from a free-kick in a 2-1 win to seal a much-celebrated victory.
After it O'Brien hooked up with pals in the pub, but while he was delighted with the win and his goal, he recalled: "After I'd scored the winner, one of my pals pulled to me to one side and just said: 'You really don't know what you've done, do you?'
"And I was like: 'I've just scored a goal to win a derby'. But it was only years later that I realised what he meant. People told me I'd never be forgotten, but I just brushed it off, yet sure enough, they still chant my name, which is just brilliant.
"I didn't think that the fans would still be chanting and singing my name 30-odd years later! But that's what this fixture means to the people of Newcastle. Even when I go back to Newcastle, and people see me, they start chanting my name. I still can't quite believe it.
"But then I think: 'Oh my God, that's brilliant'. When I go back people still pull me in the pub and remind me and I live the moment again with them for a few minutes.
"Everybody says they were at that game as well, so there must have been a few sneaked into the Sunderland end.
"I'd already scored one before the free-kick, and it was technically a better goal than the winner. With the free-kick, I had time to think about it, but not with the lob. But with either one, I never imagined they would be getting talked about decades later; it just shows you what it all means
Coloccini was shown the red card. The two old rivals met in the FA Cup in 2024, but having the fixture season in, season out is a welcome addition to the schedule, according to O'Brien.
O'Brien said: "I'm glad that the fixture is back in the Premier League - I think you need the derby. There's only a few miles between the cities.
"A lot of people work with fans of the opposition. And it is always about the bragging rights between the red and whites and black and whites."
The ex-Man United and Ireland star will be watching on this weekend and hoping the current crop of stars can emulate the class of 1992/93 with an away win. When asked if he could pick out a star who reminded him of his old playing style, O'Brien spoke about Sandro Tonali.
The Irishman said: "I really like Sandro Tonali. He has a great range of passing. And he's got that eye for goal. The fact that he gets through a lot of work with his fitness, and gets around the park.
"He is the all-around midfield player. I know he missed a season because of the betting situation. I just hope the club can keep him and he isn't sold like Alexander Isak. Tonali can dictate the play very well."
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