Sean O'Neill (footballer)

Sean O'Neill (born 11 April 1988) is a sportsman from Northern Ireland. He currently plays association football for NIFL Premiership club Ballymena United. He has also played inter-county Gaelic football for Antrim.

For the Louth player, see Sean O'Neill (Louth Gaelic footballer).

Sean O'Neill
Personal information
Date of birth (1988-04-11) 11 April 1988
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Ballymena United
Youth career
2004–2005 Glentoran
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2010 Ballymena United 18 (0)
2010–2011 Dungannon Swifts 36 (0)
2011–2022 Crusaders 247 (0)
2022 → Ballymena United (loan) 8 (0)
2022– Ballymena United 17 (0)
International career‡
2009 Northern Ireland U21 2 (0)
2009–2011 Northern Ireland U23 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:13, 14 June 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:55, 1 December 2010

Club career

Sean began his career at Glentoran, before moving to Ballymena United in March 2005.[1] He spent 5 years at United, starting as back up to Alan Blayney, and then when Blayney left, O'Neill was first choice although never really established himself in the first team, making a total of 21 appearances during his time there.

He signed for Dungannon Swifts in the summer of 2010 as a replacement for Alvin Rouse, and established himself as first choice keeper, playing in 36 of 38 league games.[2] His performances led to praise, with good displays combined with playing as goalkeeper for Antrim GAA drawing plaudits.[3]

He signed for Crusaders in the summer of 2011, replacing outgoing keeper Chris Keenan.[4] He ceased playing GAA not long after joining.[5]

O'Neill became Crusaders' regular number one, until dislocating his shoulder on 12 January 2013 in an Irish Cup tie against Linfield.[6] Although expected to be out for the rest of the season, he returned in time for the Irish Cup semi-final against Cliftonville on 6 April.

The season 2014–15 was a very successful season for O'Neill as Crusaders lifted the Gibson Cup. Due to his performances throughout the season, O'Neill was selected in the Northern Ireland Football Writers Team of the year.

On 31 January 2022, O'Neill returned to former club Ballymena United on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[7] He re-joined the club permanently on 16 June 2022, signing a three-year contract.

International career

He has represented Northern Ireland at U17, U18, U19, U21, and U23 level.[8]

Honours
Crusaders

References
  1. "Sean O'Neill". Ballymena United F.C.
  2. "Dungannon sign Sean O'Neill after Alvin Rouse departs". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  3. "Dungannon Swifts in safe hands with O'Neill: Robinson". The Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  4. "Keeper Chris Keenan departs from Crusaders". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  5. "Sean O'Neill to focus on Crusaders rather than Antrim". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  6. "Crusaders draft in two goalkeepers following injury to Sean O'Neill - Belfast Newsletter". Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  7. @BallymenaUnited (31 January 2022). "Sean O'Neill signs" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. "Sean O'Neill". Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats.


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