Irish Premiership: Retiring O’Neill ‘delighted to have done it all’

Goalkeeper Sean O’Neill said he had “no regrets” from his illustrious Irish Premiership career as he hangs up the gloves.

The 37-year-old announced earlier in the week that he would retire after Ballymena United’s Irish Premiership game against Cliftonville, which ended 2-2.

O’Neill has had a lengthy and successful Irish League career which included two spells at the Sky Blues, a season with Dungannon Swifts and an 11-year stint at Seaview during which he won three Premiership titles and secured Irish Cup, League Cup, County Antrim Shield and Setanta Cup medals.

“I have no regrets in the game,” O’Neill told BBC Sport NI contributor Stephen Alexander.

“From starting out here, Tommy [Wright] gave me my debut. To think I’d play over 500 games in this league and win everything, I didn’t think so. I’m just so delighted I’ve done it all.

“I’m happy with going out in a competitive game. It was a difficult game but I’m happy and I can be content with what I have done in my career.”

In between the posts for the Sky Blues this season, O’Neill registered clean sheets against Glenavon, Portadown, Bangor, Linfield and Coleraine.

Despite just retiring, he is not taking much time to relax and is set for a coaching opportunity.

O’Neill also added that he would love to take over the helm at a club in the Irish Premiership in the future.

“If I’m honest, I have a coaching opportunity and I have to look beyond playing. I’ve been offered a job, I’m not going to make bones about it, that is what’s happened,” he continued.

“I wish I could have stayed to the end of the year but, to be honest, the job wouldn’t have been there. I have to think about myself now.

“I would love a [manager’s] job one day. I love this league and to be a manager one day in it would be great and further on who knows? Ultimately that’s what I want to do, I have set my stall out early. That’s what I want to do and hopefully I’ll get there.”