Billy_O'Neill_(footballer)
Liam O'Neill (footballer)
Irish footballer
William Anthony O'Neill (born 29 December 1919, date of death unknown) was an Irish professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Anthony O'Neill[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 29 December 1919 | ||
| Place of birth | Cork, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | unknown[2] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Inside forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Glasheen | |||
| Cork City | |||
| Cork United | |||
| 1942–1948 | Belfast Celtic | ||
| 1948–1949 | Chelmsford City | ||
| 1949–1951 | Burnley | 1 | (1) |
| 1951–1952 | Walsall | 51 | (16) |
| Evergreen United | |||
| Managerial career | |||
| Cork Celtic | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
O'Neill began his career in his native Cork, beginning his career at Glasheen, before playing for Cork City and Cork United.[3] In 1942, O'Neill embarked on a move up north to play for Belfast Celtic. O'Neill spent six season at Belfast Celtic playing in the Irish League. During his time at Belfast Celtic, O'Neill scored 38 goals in the 1944–45 season as he finished the season as top scorer.[4]
In 1948, O'Neill moved to England, signing for Southern League side Chelmsford City. During his first season in England, O'Neill made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 times as the Clarets finished runners up to Gillingham.[5] O'Neill's form at Chelmsford earned him a move to First Division outfit Burnley. Whilst at Burnley, O'Neill primarily played for the club's reserve side in the Central League, as injuries plagued his time at Burnley. On 2 December 1950, O'Neill made his only first team appearance for Burnley, scoring in a 4–1 defeat away to Fulham.[4] In January 1951, O'Neill signed for Walsall. During his time at Walsall, O'Neill scored 16 league goals in 51 games, before returning to Ireland, signing for Evergreen United in December 1952.[1][6]
During the 1961–62 League of Ireland season, O'Neill returned to former club Cork Celtic as manager, with whom he formerly played for under the guise of Evergreen United.[7]
In 1950, O'Neill married Rita McFerran, who played camogie for Antrim GAA, at Corpus Christi Church, Whitehall, Dublin.[8]
- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888-1939.
- "Liam O'Neill". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- "Player search". English National Player Archive. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- "O'Neill for Walsall", Burnley Express, 20 January 1951, p. 9
- David Selby (29 January 2024). The Claret. CentreSpot. p. 22.
- "Liam O'Neill returns to Eire soccer", Belfast News-Letter, 5 December 1952, p. 7
- "1961-62 League of Ireland season". League of Ireland Seasons. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- "Liam weds", Essex Chronicle, 7 July 1950, p. 8