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Mike O'Neill (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mike" O'Neill is an English
former professional rugby league
footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain
, and Lancashire, and at club level for Widnes
, and Leeds
, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10.
while at Widnes in 1982 against France, and Australia, and in 1983 against France (2 matches).
In addition to the above Test Match
es, Mike O'Neill played Loosehead-, i.e. number 8 in Great Britain
's 7-8 defeat to France
in the friendly
at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo
, Venice
on 31 July 1982.
s, two Championships, three Challenge Cup
finals, two Charity Shield
, and one John Player Special Trophy
final. Mike O'Neill holds the record for the longest span between first and last Challenge Cup
final appearances, with 15-years, he was also a Great Britain tourist to Australasia in 1984.
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
, and Lancashire, and at club level for Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
, and Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10.
International honours
Mike O'Neill won caps for Great BritainGreat Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
while at Widnes in 1982 against France, and Australia, and in 1983 against France (2 matches).
In addition to the above Test Match
Test match (rugby league)
A Test match in rugby league football is a representative match between teams representing members of the Rugby League International Federation.The definition of a Test match differs from that of an international match...
es, Mike O'Neill played Loosehead-, i.e. number 8 in Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
's 7-8 defeat to France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
in the friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo
Stadio Pierluigi Penzo
Stadio Pierluigi Penzo is a multi-use stadium in Venice, Italy. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of F.B.C. Unione Venezia. The stadium holds 10,500 people and is located on the island Sant'Elena. It is the only ground in Italy's top flights to which...
, Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
on 31 July 1982.
Career
During his career, Mike O'Neill won every major honour, winning six PremiershipRugby League Premiership
The Rugby League Premiership was a competition for British rugby league clubs that operated between 1973 and 1995. As the Super League Premiership the competition continued to operate until 1997....
s, two Championships, three Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
finals, two Charity Shield
Rugby League Charity Shield (Great Britain)
The Rugby League Charity Shield was a trophy for British rugby league clubs that was held as a one-off match at the beginning of a new season. It was modelled on English football's Charity Shield, and was held between 1985 and 1995. Normally the team that had won last season's championship would...
, and one John Player Special Trophy
Regal Trophy
The Regal Trophy was a knock-out competition for British rugby league football clubs between 1971 and 1996.It was initially for professional clubs with the exception of two amateur teams who were finalists of the BARLA National Cup...
final. Mike O'Neill holds the record for the longest span between first and last Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
final appearances, with 15-years, he was also a Great Britain tourist to Australasia in 1984.
Genealogical information
Mike O'Neill is the brother of the rugby league footballer, Steve O'NeillSteve O'Neill (rugby league)
Steve O'Neill is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Widnes, Wigan, and Gateshead Thunder, playing at , i.e number 8 or 10....
.