Alan O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Alan O'Neill is an Irish
football goalkeeper
who played in the League of Ireland
in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
debut for Shamrock Rovers at Milltown
on Sunday the 28 December 1975 in a 1-0 win over Cork Hibernians. In his second season under Sean Thomas
he won his first medal, the FAI League Cup.
After the departure of Thomas, Johnny Giles
took over as manager at the start of the 1977–78 season.
On 8 March 1978 at Dalymount Park
Alan played in the first ever Republic of Ireland U21 game and went on to win 2 caps in total. Also won an amateur cap and was called up 8 times for the Republic of Ireland
side.
Alan picked up his second medal when Rovers ended a nine year barren spell in the FAI Cup with their 21st triumph in 1978.
His first taste of European competition didn't come until 1982 where, like his league debut, he kept a clean sheet on his European bow. Playing in the UEFA Cup
games made up for the disappointment of missing out on the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
games four years previously through serious injury picked up on a pre season tour of Spain in August 1978.
He represented the League of Ireland representative side twice in 1979 and 1980 and was called in to the Republic of Ireland national football team
as cover in October 1979.
Jim McLaughlin (footballer)
was appointed Rovers manager in June 1983 but due to a misunderstanding that developed between them Alan signed for UCD
. This came as a huge shock to Rovers fans and he got a tremendous reception when Rovers played UCD in the FAI Cup Final in 1984. UCD won the Cup after a replay and Alan was 'Man of the Match' in both games despite being hampered by an ankle injury.
He kept another clean sheet when UCD played Everton in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup that autumn, a trophy the English club went on to win.
He signed for Dundalk F.C.
in the summer of 1985 where in eight seasons he won all domestic honours. He was everpresent for 4 seasons from 1987 to 1991 and kept 105 clean sheets in 233 league games making a total of 327 appearances. In a 1987–88 European Cup Winners' Cup game against defending holders AFC Ajax he saved a penalty from Ronald Spelbos
.
Alan signed back for Rovers in the summer of 1993 and subsequently won another League title that season under Ray Treacy
keeping fifteen clean sheets in thirty two games.
O'Neill kept his 200th clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Sligo in the RDS Arena
in September 1994: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1994/0912/Pg031.html#Ar03101.
He made his 500th League of Ireland appearance at Galway United in September 1995 in a season where he ended up with the Player of the Year award.
In total he played 6 times in European competition for the Hoops keeping 2 clean sheets and is the only Rovers player to ever win all three domestic trophies the League of Ireland
, the FAI Cup
and the League of Ireland Cup. Kept 54 clean sheets in his first spell at the Hoops and 34 in his second spell.
, was appointed manager.
After losing the first game of the 1996/97 the Rovers faithful were stunned when Alan and Terry were sacked. Alan then signed for Sligo Rovers F.C keeping a clean sheet on his debut on 5 October 1996 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1996/1007/Pg030.html#Ar03007. His final League of Ireland game was at Finn Park
in April 1997 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1997/0428/Pg031.html#Ar03103.
Alan stepped in to manage Rovers for the playoff games with Dublin City at the end of the 2005 season.
In 2006 Alan O'Neill became a Shamrock Rovers legend.
He is the only Rovers player to ever win all three domestic trophies the League of Ireland, the FAI Cup and the League of Ireland Cup.
He is now the goalkeeping coach for the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team. Alan has 4 children: Amy, Lise-Ann, Shane & Lauren. His younger brother Dermot O'Neill (footballer)
also played in the League of Ireland as a goalkeeper.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
football goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who played in the 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...
in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Playing career
Son of Robert who played for Shelbourne, Alan made his League of IrelandLeague 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...
debut for Shamrock Rovers at Milltown
Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
on Sunday the 28 December 1975 in a 1-0 win over Cork Hibernians. In his second season under Sean Thomas
Sean Thomas
Sean Thomas may refer to:*Tom Knox , pseudonym for the author Sean Thomas*Seán Thomas, former manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team*Sean Thomas, guitarist for the band Kisschasy...
he won his first medal, the FAI League Cup.
After the departure of Thomas, Johnny Giles
Johnny Giles
Michael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...
took over as manager at the start of the 1977–78 season.
On 8 March 1978 at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
Alan played in the first ever Republic of Ireland U21 game and went on to win 2 caps in total. Also won an amateur cap and was called up 8 times for 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....
side.
Alan picked up his second medal when Rovers ended a nine year barren spell in the FAI Cup with their 21st triumph in 1978.
His first taste of European competition didn't come until 1982 where, like his league debut, he kept a clean sheet on his European bow. Playing 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...
games made up for the disappointment of missing out on the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
games four years previously through serious injury picked up on a pre season tour of Spain in August 1978.
He represented the League of Ireland representative side twice in 1979 and 1980 and was called in to the Republic of Ireland national football team
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....
as cover in October 1979.
Jim McLaughlin (footballer)
Jim McLaughlin (footballer)
Jim McLaughlin is a former Northern Irish footballer and was later a football manager in the League of Ireland.-Playing career:...
was appointed Rovers manager in June 1983 but due to a misunderstanding that developed between them Alan signed for UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
. This came as a huge shock to Rovers fans and he got a tremendous reception when Rovers played UCD in the FAI Cup Final in 1984. UCD won the Cup after a replay and Alan was 'Man of the Match' in both games despite being hampered by an ankle injury.
He kept another clean sheet when UCD played Everton in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup that autumn, a trophy the English club went on to win.
He signed for Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
in the summer of 1985 where in eight seasons he won all domestic honours. He was everpresent for 4 seasons from 1987 to 1991 and kept 105 clean sheets in 233 league games making a total of 327 appearances. In a 1987–88 European Cup Winners' Cup game against defending holders AFC Ajax he saved a penalty from Ronald Spelbos
Ronald Spelbos
Ronald Spelbos is a Dutch former football player and manager. He used to play central defense.-External links:**...
.
Alan signed back for Rovers in the summer of 1993 and subsequently won another League title that season under Ray Treacy
Ray Treacy
Ray Treacy , is an Irish former professional footballer.-Playing career:He played 42 times for the Republic of Ireland national football team between 1966 and 1980...
keeping fifteen clean sheets in thirty two games.
O'Neill kept his 200th clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Sligo in the RDS Arena
RDS Arena
RDS Arena is a multi-purpose sports stadium, owned by the Royal Dublin Society and located in the Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge, Ireland.The arena was originally developed to host equestrian events, including the annual Dublin Horse Show, which was first held there in 1868. The site was acquired in...
in September 1994: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1994/0912/Pg031.html#Ar03101.
He made his 500th League of Ireland appearance at Galway United in September 1995 in a season where he ended up with the Player of the Year award.
In total he played 6 times in European competition for the Hoops keeping 2 clean sheets and is the only Rovers player to ever win all three domestic trophies the 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...
, the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
and the League of Ireland Cup. Kept 54 clean sheets in his first spell at the Hoops and 34 in his second spell.
Management career
After Treacy was sacked in January 1996 Alan, along with Terry EvistonTerry Eviston
Terry Eviston was a footballer who played for Home Farm, Bohemians, Athlone Town A.F.C., Dundalk F.C. and two spells with Shamrock Rovers.-Playing career:...
, was appointed manager.
After losing the first game of the 1996/97 the Rovers faithful were stunned when Alan and Terry were sacked. Alan then signed for Sligo Rovers F.C keeping a clean sheet on his debut on 5 October 1996 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1996/1007/Pg030.html#Ar03007. His final League of Ireland game was at Finn Park
Finn Park
Finn Park is a football stadium in Ballybofey, Ireland, the home of League of Ireland Premier Division team Finn Harps F.C., and has a capacity of 7,500 with 400 seats...
in April 1997 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1997/0428/Pg031.html#Ar03103.
Alan stepped in to manage Rovers for the playoff games with Dublin City at the end of the 2005 season.
In 2006 Alan O'Neill became a Shamrock Rovers legend.
He is the only Rovers player to ever win all three domestic trophies the League of Ireland, the FAI Cup and the League of Ireland Cup.
He is now the goalkeeping coach for the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team. Alan has 4 children: Amy, Lise-Ann, Shane & Lauren. His younger brother Dermot O'Neill (footballer)
Dermot O'Neill (footballer)
Dermot "Monkey" O'Neill was a football goalkeeper who played in the League of Ireland during the 1980s and 1990s....
also played in the League of Ireland as a goalkeeper.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe 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...
: 3- Dundalk F.C.Dundalk F.C.Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
1987/88, 1990/91 - Shamrock Rovers 1993/94
- Dundalk F.C.
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 3- Shamrock Rovers 1978
- UCDUniversity College Dublin A.F.C.University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
1984 - Dundalk F.C.Dundalk F.C.Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
1988
- League of Ireland Cup: 3
- Shamrock Rovers - 1976
- Dundalk F.C.Dundalk F.C.Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
- 1987, 1990
- Tyler CupTyler CupThe Tyler Cup was a football competition played between soccer clubs in the North and Republic of Ireland played between 1977 and 1981. It was similar to the earlier Blaxnit Cup, North-South Cup, Dublin and Belfast Intercity Cup or the present day Setanta Sports Cup.-Tyler Cup results:The finals...
- Shamrock Rovers - 1978
- Leinster Senior CupLeinster Senior CupThis is a disambiguation page. Leinster Senior Cup may refer to:* Leinster Club Senior Cup: rugby union* Leinster Schools Senior Cup: rugby union* Leinster Senior Cup...
- Shamrock Rovers - 1982
- Player of the Year:
- UCD 1983/84
- Dundalk 1992/93
- Shamrock Rovers 1995/96