John O'Neil (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Thomas O'Neil is a Scottish
former professional
association football player. He represented Scotland
once, and played for Dundee United
, St. Johnstone, Hibernian
and Falkirk
in the top division.
, where he progressed through the youth ranks. O'Neil scored for United in their 1991 Scottish Cup
final defeat against Motherwell
, with his header reducing Motherwell's lead to 3–2. At the start of the 1994–95 season
, he was signed by ex-United colleague Paul Sturrock
for United's Tayside
rivals St. Johnstone. During his six years at McDiarmid Park
, O'Neil became a regular. He played in nearly 200 league matches, over double his tally in the same time with United. In June 2000, O'Neil moved to Hibernian
. It was during his spell with the Edinburgh
club that O'Neil gained his only cap for Scotland
, a start in a 1–1 draw against Poland
in an away friendly on 25 April 2001. Ten years earlier, he won his sole under-21
cap.
After three years with Hibs, O'Neil joined Falkirk
in 2003, but swapped a second Scottish First Division title for a Second Division title by joining Gretna
in January 2005. O'Neil won the First Division title with The Borderers the following season, also collecting a second Scottish Cup runners-up medal in the defeat on penalties
to Hearts
. He left Gretna to join at the start of the 2007–08 season
, signed by former Dundee United teammate Brian Welsh
. O'Neil was released by Cowdenbeath in January 2009 and then signed for .
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
association football player. He represented Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
once, and played for 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...
, St. Johnstone, Hibernian
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...
and Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
in the top division.
Career
O'Neil, a right-sided midfielder, began his career at Dundee UnitedDundee 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...
, where he progressed through the youth ranks. O'Neil scored for United in their 1991 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
final defeat against Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, with his header reducing Motherwell's lead to 3–2. At the start of the 1994–95 season
1994-95 in Scottish football
The 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
, he was signed by ex-United colleague Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
for United's Tayside
Tayside
Tayside Region was a local government region of Scotland from 15 May 1975 to 31 March 1996. It was created by the 1973 Act following recommendations made by the 1969 Wheatley Report which attempted to replace the mishmash of counties, cities, burghs and districts, with a uniform two-tier system...
rivals St. Johnstone. During his six years at McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park is a football stadium in Perth, Scotland, the home ground of St. Johnstone FC. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.-History:...
, O'Neil became a regular. He played in nearly 200 league matches, over double his tally in the same time with United. In June 2000, O'Neil moved to Hibernian
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...
. It was during his spell with the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
club that O'Neil gained his only cap for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, a start in a 1–1 draw against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in an away friendly on 25 April 2001. Ten years earlier, he won his sole under-21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
cap.
After three years with Hibs, O'Neil joined Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
in 2003, but swapped a second Scottish First Division title for a Second Division title by joining Gretna
Gretna F.C.
Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland...
in January 2005. O'Neil won the First Division title with The Borderers the following season, also collecting a second Scottish Cup runners-up medal in the defeat on penalties
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
to Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. He left Gretna to join at the start of the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in Scottish football
The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
, signed by former Dundee United teammate Brian Welsh
Brian Welsh
Brian Welsh is a Scottish football player and coach. He played for Dundee United and Hibernian. Welsh managed Cowdenbeath for two seasons and is currently Head of Youth Development at Livingston.- Playing career :...
. O'Neil was released by Cowdenbeath in January 2009 and then signed for .
Honours
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Runner-up: 3
-
- 19911991 Scottish Cup FinalThe 1991 Scottish Cup Final was played between Motherwell and Dundee United at Hampden Park on May 18 1991. Motherwell held aloft the Cup after a classic encounter finished 4–3, after extra time...
, 20012001 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2001 Scottish Cup Final was played on 26 May 2001 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 116th Scottish Cup competition. Celtic and Hibernian contested the match, Celtic won the match 3–0. Jackie McNamara opened the scoring in the first half running onto a through ball to angle the...
, 20062006 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2006 Scottish Cup Final was played on 13 May 2006 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 120th Scottish Cup. The final was contested by Heart of Midlothian , who beat Hibernian 4–0 in the semi-final, and Gretna, who beat Dundee 3–0....
- Scottish First Division: 2
- 1996-971996-97 in Scottish footballThe 1996–97 season was the 100th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen a playoff system introduced between the 2nd bottom club in the Premier Division and the 2nd top club in Division One.-Scottish Premier Division:...
, 2006-072006-07 in Scottish footballThe 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and...
- Scottish Second Division: 1
- 2005-062005-06 in Scottish footballThe 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill...
- Scottish Challenge Cup: 1
- 2004-052004-05 in Scottish footballThe 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman...
- 1991