Irish Premier League: O’Neill retires ‘happy to do it all’

Goalkeeper Sean O’Neill says he has “no regrets” about his illustrious League of Ireland Premier League career as he hangs up the gloves.

The 37-year-old announced earlier in the week that he would be retiring after Ballymena United’s League of Ireland Premier League match against Cliftonville, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

O’Neill had a long and successful League of Ireland career which included two spells at the Sky Blues, a season with Dungannon Swifts and 11 years at Seaview during which he won three League of Ireland titles and claimed Irish Cup, League Cup, County Antrim Shield and Setanta Cup medals.

“I don’t regret the game,” O’Neill told BBC Sport NI contributor Stephen Alexander.

“Since the beginning here, Tommy [Wright] He gave me my debut. I thought I would play more than 500 games in this league and win everything, I didn’t think so. I’m so glad I did it all.

“I’m happy to be out in a competitive match. It was a tough match but I’m happy and I can be satisfied with what I’ve done in my career.”

Between appearances for the Sky Blues this season, O’Neill has recorded clean sheets against Glenavon, Portadown, Bangor, Linfield and Coleraine.

Even though he has just retired, he is not taking much time to relax and prepare for a coaching opportunity.

O’Neill also added that he would like to captain a club in the Irish Premier League in the future.

He continued: “To be honest, I have a coaching opportunity and I have to look beyond playing. I have been offered a job, and I will not exaggerate, and this is what happened.”

“I was hoping to stay until the end of the year, but honestly, the job wasn’t there. I have to think about myself now.

“I love A [manager’s] One day job. I love this league and to be a coach in it one day would be great and who knows? In the end this is what I want to do, I set up my booth early. “This is what I want to do and I hope I get there.”