Steve O'Neill (rugby league)

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Steve O'Neill
Personal information
Born (1958-02-01) 1 February 1958 (age 66)
Widnes, Cheshire, England
Playing information
PositionProp, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1976–81 Wigan 119+5 12 3
1981–88 Widnes 202 12 10
1988–90 Swinton
1990 Salford
Total 326 24 0 13 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1981 England 1 0 0 0 0
Coaching information
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1997–01 Ireland 6 3 1 2 50
Source: [1][2][3]

Steve O'Neill (born 1 February 1958) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Wigan, Widnes, Salford, and Swinton as a prop or second-row,[1] and coached at representative level for Ireland.[3]

Playing career[edit]

Wigan[edit]

O'Neill played at prop in Wigan's 10–26 defeat by Warrington in the 1980–81 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Knowsley Road, St Helens on Saturday 4 October 1980.

Widnes[edit]

O'Neill was signed by Widnes in October 1981 for a club record fee of around £30,000.[4] He was named in the Widnes team in their 14–14 draw with Hull F.C. in the 1981–82 Challenge Cup Final during the 1981–82 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1982, and in the 9–18 defeat by Hull F.C. in the replay at Elland Road, Leeds on Wednesday 19 May 1982, but was an unused substitute on both occasions.

During the 1983–84 season, O'Neill played at prop in the 8–12 defeat by Barrow in the 1983–84 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 October 1983. He started at prop, and scored a drop goal in Widnes' 19–6 victory over Wigan in the 1983–84 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1984.

He missed most of the 1985–86 season after suffering a broken leg in a league match against Wigan.[5]

Later career[edit]

O'Neill signed for Swinton in October 1988.[6] He played for Swinton in the 1988–89 Second Division Premiership final, but was sent off in the 18–43 defeat against Sheffield Eagles.[7] He joined Salford in January 1990.[8]

International honours[edit]

O'Neill won one cap for England while at Wigan in February 1981 against France.[9]

Coaching career[edit]

O'Neill was added to the coaching staff at Salford at the start of the 1990–91 season.[10] From 1997 to 2001, O'Neill was the coach of the Ireland national rugby league team.[11]

Personal life[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Player Summary: Steve O'Neill". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ Woodhead, Les (7 October 1981). "Debut for record buy". Liverpool Echo. p. 16 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ Macklin, Keith (23 September 1985). "Rugby League: Rogers and O'Neill break legs". The Times.
  6. ^ "Taking shine to Wigan cup". The Guardian. London. 24 October 1988. p. 17. ProQuest 186936945.
  7. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (15 May 1989). "Currier try tips the scales". The Guardian. London. p. 16. ProQuest 186876966.
  8. ^ Burke, David (5 January 1990). "Steve goes to Salford". Manchester Evening News. p. 67 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ Kennedy, Edward (23 February 1981). "Robbed by referee". The Guardian. London. p. 18. ProQuest 186349066.
  10. ^ Burke, David (1 August 1990). "Steve gets a new role". Manchester Evening News. p. 54 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ "Irish welcome Prescott" (28 June 1998) independent.co.uk

External links[edit]

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