Ronan O’Neill In The Spotlight With Murphys Gloves Q + A

Thursday 18.06.2020

 

This week its the turn of Omagh and Tyrone attacker Ronan O’Neill to take the Murphys Gloves senior club Q + A

1. Earliest GAA memory.
Earliest GAA memory would have to be playing U8 and U10 Tournaments with Omagh on a Saturday morning. I can remember one in particular tournament called the Sharkey Shield and getting beat in the final and not taking it too well!

2. Who has been the biggest influences on your career?
I have had a number of people who have helped me achieve great things in my career from managers to my parents. My parents would have to be my biggest influence especially my father. He has always been there for advice and constructive criticism to try and help me succeed.

3. The best GAA venue you have been to?
Would have to be Croke Park. Going to see Tyrone 2003 to 2008 period was something special. Clones for an Ulster Championship match always sticks out as well.

4. School participation and/or success.
Attended Omagh CBS and played on a number of school teams. I played on the team above me the whole way up through school. We won a Dalton, Corn NaNog, Brock Cup. Beat in a couple of finals including two Macrory Finals consecutively. Managed to win an Ulster Colleges All Star as a 5th year.

5. Club/ County role models that you looked up to as a youth
Club was without a doubt Joe and Justy McMahon. What they have achieved was unbelievable and it’s been a privilege to play with them and win with them on a club and county scene. Not only are they extremely talented footballers who you always wanted to try and emulate but the way they carried themselves off really stuck with me.
County – I really admired Peter Canavan as I believe he is the best player to ever play the game. Skill, vision, agile, fast, both footed, accurate – everything you want as forward. I also really looked up to Brian McGuigan. I played a lot of football at centre half forward during my underage career and seeing him play and dictate a game was first class.

 

6. Other sports that you played or had an interest in.
Played a lot of different sports growing up. Live beside Omagh Golf club so most summers you would spend most of the day up there. Played soccer for Dungannon Swifts, Omagh United and Tyrone Milk Cup team.

7. Most difficult opponent you have faced in club football and why?
Would have to say Karl McKaigue from the Ulster Club Final v Slaughtneil in 2015.

8. Best player you have ever seen play Gaelic football
Peter Canavan. Colm Cooper and Diarmuid Connolly come close behind.

9. If you could replay one game in your career which one would it be and why?
2015 Ulster Club final v Slaughtneil. To this day I don’t know how we didn’t win.

10. The best GAA match that you ever saw.
2005 All Ireland Semi Final Tyrone v Armagh.

11.What was the most memorable match that you ever played in?
2014 County Final. 26 years since Omagh last won a Championship. To win it in the fashion we did. You dream of those days and for it to happen like that was something will live with me forever.

12. Your own involvement around the club.
Obviously still playing but have helped out in the last few years taking our own minors and U16’s. I got a lot of good coaching when I was at that age and trying to repay some back in any way I can. A lot of good players coming through so it’s good to see. Try to help out as much as I can at fundraisers and events throughout the year.

13. How has your fitness training been going during lockdown?
Think I have just tried to keep a routine I would have had if we were still playing. Been given programs to complete and just trying to get them done in any way you can throughout lockdown for both mentally and physically.

14. Favourite county jersey (not Tyrone)
Offaly has always been a favourite.

15. Are you a fan of penalties to decide the outcome of championship games?
I am undecided. It is an unfair way of deciding a Championship game however, taking a penalty is a skill and is a great way to show off people who actually practice those skills. There are better ways to determine the outcome. A replay or even another 5 minutes each way would be more suitable.