Search icon

Football

11th Apr 2018

Former Cork and Limerick star Chiedozie Ogbene impresses on Championship debut

Patrick McCarry

‘The kid looks a special talent.’

Former Limerick and Cork City attacker Chiedozie Ogbene made his Championship debut for Brentford, on Tuesday, and played an instrumental part in helping them get a vital win.

The Bees are still in contention for the end-of-season playoffs but went into their game against Nottingham Forest, at the City Ground, knowing they needed to claim all three points. Ogbene had been on a scoring streak for Brentford’s second team and was given a chance off the bench.

Entering the frame with the match tied 0-0, after 67 minutes, the 20-year-old immediately brought some pace and directness to his team. He came close with a shot on goal, which was blocked by a Forest defender, and whipped in a couple of crosses.

He was involved in the early build-up to Brentford’s winner, which arrived on 81 minutes when Josh McEachran crossed for Henrik Dalsgaard to head home. The result keeps Brentford in touch with 6th place Millwall [four points ahead] with four games of the regular season to go.

Ogbene will be hoping to have a say in his team’s Championship run-in. He arrived over at Brentford in January after impressing at Cork City before moving on to Limerick to get more game time.

It was at the Market Grounds that he really came to the attention of most League of Ireland fans, and scouts.

Credit: RTE

Born in Nigeria, he moved to Cork with his family in 2005. Ogbene is eligible to represent both Nigeria and Ireland at international level. He played GAA for Nemo Rangers before electing to concentrate on his footballing ambitions.

Next up for Brentford, and hopefully Ogbene and Irish defender John Egan, is a trip to high-flying Fulham before a home tie with QPR.