Mike O'Neill (rugby league)

Mike O'Neill
Personal information
Full name Michael O'Neill[1]
Nickname Mike
Born 29 November 1960
Widnes, Lancashire
Playing information
Position Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1977–90 Widnes 414 72
1990–91 Rochdale Hornets
1991–94 Leeds <60
1994–1995 Widnes
Total 72 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Lancashire 9
1982–83 Great Britain 4 0 0 0 0
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org englandrl.co.uk

Michael "Mike" O'Neill (born 29 November 1960) is an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s playing at representative level for Great Britain, and Lancashire, and at club level for Widnes (twice), Rochdale Hornets, and Leeds, as a Prop, i.e. number 8 or 10.

Playing career

International honours

Mike O'Neill won caps for Great Britain while at Widnes in 1982 against France, and Australia, and in 1983 against France (2 matches).[2]

In addition to the above Test Matches, Mike O'Neill played Left-Prop, i.e. number 8 in Great Britain's 7-8 defeat by France in the friendly at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, Venice on Saturday 31 July 1982, he also played 5-times for Great Britain Under-24 team.

Mike O'Neill was selected for the 1984 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Rugby Football League Championship appearances

Mike O'Neill played in Widnes' victories in the 1987–88, and 1988–89 Rugby Football League Championship.

Rugby League Premiership final appearances

Mike O'Neill played in Widnes' 19-5 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1979–80 Rugby League Premiership final at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 17 May 1980, the 23-8 victory over Hull in the 1981–82 Rugby League Premiership final at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 15 May 1982, the 22-10 victory over Hull in the 1982–83 Rugby League Premiership final at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 14 May 1983, the 38-14 victory over Hull in the 1987–88 Rugby League Premiership final at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 15 May 1988, the 18-10 victory over St. Helens in the 1988–89 Rugby League Premiership final at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 14 May 1989, and the 28-6 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1989–90 Rugby League Premiership final at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 13 May 1990.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Mike O'Neill was a playing substitute in Widnes' 18-9 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1978–79 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 5 May 1979, the 18-9 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1980–81 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 2 May 1981, the 18-9 victory over Wigan in the 1983–84 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 5 May 1984, and Leeds' 16-26 defeat by Wigan in the 1993–94 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 April 1994, in doing so he set, and still holds, the record for the longest time span between first and last Challenge Cup Final appearances. European club cup winners 1989,

Regal Trophy

Mike O'Neill played in Widnes' 16-4 victory over Warrington in the 1978–79 John Player Trophy Final at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 28 April 1979.

Rugby League Charity Shield

Mike O'Neill played in Widnes' 20-14 victory over Wigan in the 1988–89 Charity Shield at Okells Bowl, Douglas, Isle of Man on Sunday 21 August 1988, and the 27-22 victory over Wigan in the 1989–90 Charity Shield at Anfield, Liverpool on Sunday 27 August 1989.

Genealogical information

Mike O'Neill is the brother of the rugby league footballer, Steve O'Neill.

References

  1. ↑ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.

External links