Keith O'Neill (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Keith Padre Gerard O'Neill (born 16 February 1976 in Dublin) is a former professional footballer
who represented the Republic of Ireland
.
Keith began his playing career with Dublin side Tolka Rovers at the age of 6 but transferred to Home Farm
at the age of 13. He was spotted by Norwich at the age of 14 and invited over for trials with Mike Sutton's youngsters. Arsenal and Chelsea were also keen and he had visited the Gunners on several occasions. However they lost interest due to his injury niggles whilst Norwich showed faith and so he joined the Canaries. At the same time, he won his first international honours for the Republic's Under 18 side.
O'Neill a native of Glasnevin
was a pacey left-sided midfielder who could sometimes play as a striker, as a promising youngster O'Neill was spotted by several sides including Norwich City
, who went on to sign him when he was 18 and did immediately impress, despite being very injury prone. The injury problems, some of them stemming him having suffered from spondylosis
as a child, affected him virtually from the start of his career and ultimately curtailed his progress.
He was diagnosed at Coventry City with two degenerative bone conditions in his spine called spondylolisthesis and spondylosis, essentially a double fracture of part of the cord that threatens to leave him disabled.
O'Neill went on to play for Middlesbrough F.C.
and Coventry City F.C.
, as well as making 13 appearances for his country, scoring four goals including scoring twice against Bolivia at Giants Stadium
in 1996 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/oneill-double-rouses-ireland-1337472.html.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who represented the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
Keith began his playing career with Dublin side Tolka Rovers at the age of 6 but transferred to Home Farm
Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra...
at the age of 13. He was spotted by Norwich at the age of 14 and invited over for trials with Mike Sutton's youngsters. Arsenal and Chelsea were also keen and he had visited the Gunners on several occasions. However they lost interest due to his injury niggles whilst Norwich showed faith and so he joined the Canaries. At the same time, he won his first international honours for the Republic's Under 18 side.
O'Neill a native of Glasnevin
Glasnevin
Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...
was a pacey left-sided midfielder who could sometimes play as a striker, as a promising youngster O'Neill was spotted by several sides including Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, who went on to sign him when he was 18 and did immediately impress, despite being very injury prone. The injury problems, some of them stemming him having suffered from spondylosis
Spondylosis
Spondylosis is a term referring to degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the centra of the spinal vertebrae and/or neural foraminae. If this condition occurs in the zygapophysial joints, it can be considered facet syndrome...
as a child, affected him virtually from the start of his career and ultimately curtailed his progress.
He was diagnosed at Coventry City with two degenerative bone conditions in his spine called spondylolisthesis and spondylosis, essentially a double fracture of part of the cord that threatens to leave him disabled.
O'Neill went on to play for Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
and Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, as well as making 13 appearances for his country, scoring four goals including scoring twice against Bolivia at Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
in 1996 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/oneill-double-rouses-ireland-1337472.html.