Cooley Kickhams man Pádraig O'Neill is now in the final phase of a long career during which he has represented both club and county. In this interview he talks about the rewards football has brought and his present job at Moffett Engineering. Now at the tender old age of 39 years Pádraig O'Neill's football career is closing in. Since playing his first senior game at the age of 16 against Roche Emmetts in the 1982 senior championship he has figured in nearly every position excluding goalkeeper for the green and golds. Pádraig graduated from the underage ranks of Cumann Peile Cuchulainn to Cooley's U-14 and U-16 sides under the guidance of James Gregory (RIP), Des Savage, Seamus Sheelan and Pádraig's father Brendan. When James Gregory assumed control of the club senior team it wasn't long until Padraig was offered a place on the panel. Having already won an U-21 championship the previous year, O'Neill collected a Cardinal O'Donnell medal in his first season and an ACC medal the following year. He adds that football has been very good to him instilling a discipline that you carry in all walks of life. Now happily married to Susan, Padraig says that 1984 was a memorable year for him. Along with his three brothers Redmond, Gareth and Ogie, he was part of the victorious Cooley minor championship team in Centenary year. It was not replicated on the county setup as he captained Armagh to the final of the Ulster minor championship where they were narrowly defeated by Derry. In 1985 O'Neill progressed to the third level education's sporting arena where he was to join up with what proved to be some of Ulster's elite. In the company of DJ Kane, Enda Gormley, Dermot McNicholl and Barry Breen, he claimed three Sigerson Cup medals, three Ryan Cup medals and was selected to play for the Combined Universities side. "I have been very fortunate to have played in so many successful teams over the years… I have been lucky to play with some great footballers on various Cooley sides including Gerry Farrell, Tony and Colm McCarragher and Niall MacArtain (RIP)," he says. He also points at the special contribution made by his parents Brendan and Moya, James Gregory and his former school mentor Val Kane. Of the current crop of Cooley players he picks out Alan Page, Conor McGuinness and Ambrose Kane as players to lead younger players such as Keith White, Patrick Sheelan, Richard Brennan and Brian Donnelly to the Joe Ward Cup. Unfortunately for Pádraig, he missed out on Cooley's senior successes of 1989 and 1990 but continued to play on the senior team until 2002 adding another two ACC medals O'Neill was fortunate enough to captain Cooley's juniors to championship success in 2000 and the team went on to complete a hat-trick of championship successes by winning in 2001 and 2002. "I've got an awful lot out of it. I've seen a lot of the world and I'd encourage my children to do it. If you take it seriously you learn a lot of discipline for work." "Through football I have spent time in places such as Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and even Moscow," he says. O'Neill who has played senior football for both Armagh and Lough is now contemplating retirement as he plans to spend more time with son Cillian and daughter Aoibhín. "Never say never" is his attitude though because when the long evenings reappear, it will be hard to resist the activity in Fr. McEvoy Park. Managing Director Keith Quigley has played county football for Armagh with Paul Teague employed as the other main director. Kingspan (Kingscourt) and O Kane Poultry are among the companies to whom they sell. It's been a serious journey for Padraig O'Neill. Dedication has brought him close to the summit in Gaelic football. Whatever remains can be regarded as a bonus. Tweet

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