Michael O'Neill (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Michael Andrew Martin O'Neill (born 5 July 1969 in Portadown
, County Armagh
) is a former Northern Irish
international
association football player, who is now the manager
of Shamrock Rovers
.
or forward
for Chimney Corner
, Coleraine
, Newcastle
, Dundee United
, Hibs
, Coventry City
, Aberdeen
(on loan), Reading
(on loan), Wigan
, St Johnstone
, Portland Timbers
, Clydebank
, Glentoran
and Ayr United
.
He made two appearances for Coleraine in the UEFA Cup
and played three times for Glentoran in both the UEFA Cup
and Champions League
qualifiers.
At international level he played at U21, U23 and B level and played 33 games for Northern Ireland
, scoring 7 times, including 2 in a 5-3 win over Austria
, where he also hit the post and was desperately unlucky not to get a hat-trick.
before becoming manager of Scottish side Brechin City
in April 2006. He won the Second Division
Manager of the Month award
in both December 2007 and October 2008.
as his main managerial influence.
In October 2010, he guided Shamrock Rovers to win the 2010 League of Ireland
title, their first league championship since 1994. O'Neill led Rovers to the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup
and then made history by being the first manager of a League of Ireland
team to reach the group stages of a European competition
. Rovers defeated Partizan Belgrade
in the play-off round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League. Shamrock Rovers retained their league title in the 2011
season. New contract talks between O'Neill and Shamrock Rovers stalled.
Manager League of Ireland
:
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
, County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
) is a former Northern Irish
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
international
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
association football player, who is now the manager
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
.
Playing career
O'Neill played as a midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
or forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
for Chimney Corner
Chimney Corner F.C.
Chimney Corner is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 2. The club, founded in 1952, hails from Antrim and plays its home matches at Allen Park. Club colours are red and white. The current manager is Stephen Hughes. They have a reserve team which was founded in...
, Coleraine
Coleraine F.C.
Coleraine F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1927, hails from Coleraine, County Londonderry and plays its home matches at the Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
, Newcastle
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
, Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, Coventry City
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...
, Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
(on loan), Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
(on loan), Wigan
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, St Johnstone
St Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
, Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
, Clydebank
Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
, Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
and Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
.
He made two appearances for Coleraine in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
and played three times for Glentoran in both the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
and Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifiers.
At international level he played at U21, U23 and B level and played 33 games for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, scoring 7 times, including 2 in a 5-3 win over Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, where he also hit the post and was desperately unlucky not to get a hat-trick.
Managing career
He began management as assistant at CowdenbeathCowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
before becoming manager of Scottish side Brechin City
Brechin City F.C.
Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team based in Brechin, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Second Division in the 2010–11 season...
in April 2006. He won the Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
Manager of the Month award
Scottish Football League monthly awards
This article lists the winners of the First Division Manager, Second Division Manager, Third Division Manager, Player and Young Player monthly awards in the Scottish Football League-2006-07 season:-2007-08 season:-2008-09 season:-2009-10 season:...
in both December 2007 and October 2008.
Shamrock Rovers
O'Neill was released by Brechin City to join on 13 December 2008. He was awarded the Irish Soccer Writers Manager of the Month award for July 2009 and eventually guided The Hoops to second place in 2009 League of Ireland. At the press conference when unveiled as Rovers manager, he cited Gordon StrachanGordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
as his main managerial influence.
In October 2010, he guided Shamrock Rovers to win the 2010 League of Ireland
2010 League of Ireland
The 2010 League of Ireland was the 90th season of the League of Ireland. For the 26th season in succession, it was played using a two division format, consisting of the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division. Bohemians were the defending League of Ireland...
title, their first league championship since 1994. O'Neill led Rovers to the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup
2011 Setanta Sports Cup
The 2011 Setanta Sports Cup is the sixth staging of the all Ireland association football competition known as the Setanta Sports Cup. It commenced on 14 February 2011 with the final played on 14 May 2011....
and then made history by being the first manager of a League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
team to reach the group stages of a European competition
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
. Rovers defeated Partizan Belgrade
Partizan Belgrade
Jugoslovensko Sportsko Društvo Partizan, commonly abbreviated as JSD Partizan is a sports association from Belgrade, Serbia. Founded on 4th October 1945, it's an umbrella organization featuring 26 clubs in 26 sports.-Sports/Clubs:-History:...
in the play-off round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League. Shamrock Rovers retained their league title in the 2011
2011 League of Ireland
The Premier Division consists of ten teams. Each team plays every other team four times, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 36 matches.-Teams:...
season. New contract talks between O'Neill and Shamrock Rovers stalled.
Honours
Player- Irish League/Irish Premier LeagueIFA PremiershipThe IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
- GlentoranGlentoran F.C.Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
2002/03
- Glentoran
- Irish League Cup:
- GlentoranGlentoran F.C.Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
2002/03
- Glentoran
- County Antrim ShieldCounty Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
:- GlentoranGlentoran F.C.Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
2002/03
- Glentoran
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
- Wigan AthleticWigan Athletic F.C.Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
1999
- Wigan Athletic
- Player of the Year:
- Newcastle United - 1987/88
Manager League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
:
-
- Shamrock RoversShamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
- 20102010 League of IrelandThe 2010 League of Ireland was the 90th season of the League of Ireland. For the 26th season in succession, it was played using a two division format, consisting of the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division. Bohemians were the defending League of Ireland...
, 20112011 League of IrelandThe Premier Division consists of ten teams. Each team plays every other team four times, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 36 matches.-Teams:...
- Shamrock Rovers
- Setanta Cup:
- Shamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
2011
- Shamrock Rovers F.C.