Mike O'Neill (rugby league)
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Full name | Michael O'Neill | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Widnes, England | 29 November 1960||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Position | Prop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Michael O'Neill (born 29 November 1960) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Lancashire, and at club level for Widnes (two spells), Rochdale Hornets and Leeds, as a prop.
Background
Mike O'Neill was born in Widnes, Lancashire, England. Mike is the brother of former rugby league player and coach Steve O'Neill.
Playing career
Widnes
During the
O'Neill played in Widnes' 19–5 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1979–80 Premiership Final at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 17 May 1980.
He played at prop in the 18–9 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1980–81 Challenge Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1981, in front of a crowd of 92,496,
The following year, he played in the 14–14 draw with Hull F.C. in the 1981–82 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 92,147, and also played in the 9–18 defeat by Hull F.C. in the replay at Elland Road, Leeds on Wednesday 19 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 41,171. He played in the 23–8 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1981–82 Premiership Final at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 15 May 1982.
He played the 22–10 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1982–83 Premiership Final during the 1982–83 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 14 May 1983.
During the
O'Neill played in
O'Neill played in
In the 1989–90 season, he played in the 27–22 victory over Wigan in the Charity Shield at Anfield, Liverpool on Sunday 27 August 1989, and in the 28–6 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1989–90 Premiership Final during at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 13 May 1990.
Rochdale Hornets
In 1990, O'Neill was signed by Rochdale Hornets for a club-record fee of £70,000.[4]
Leeds
In 1991, O'Neill was signed by Leeds in a part-exchange deal, with Rochdale receiving a fee of £20,000 plus the New Zealand international, Mike Kuiti.[5] He was a substitute in Leeds' 16-26 defeat by Wigan in the 1993–94 Challenge Cup Final during the 1993–94 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 30 April 1994, in front of a crowd of 78,348. In doing so he set, and still holds, the record for the longest time span between first and last Challenge Cup Final appearances.
International honours
O'Neill won caps for Great Britain while at Widnes in 1982, against France and Australia, and in 1983, against France (2 matches).[1]
In addition to the above Test Matches, O'Neill played at prop in Great Britain's 7-8 defeat by France in the friendly at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Venice on Saturday 31 July 1982; he also played 5-times for Great Britain Under-24 team.
O'Neill was selected for the 1984 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand.
References
- ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Player Summary: Mike O'Neill". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ "7th January 1989: Wigan 12 Widnes 6 (John Player Trophy Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ProQuest 187063011.
- ProQuest 187256759.