Ex-football star injured in Boston assault
Details of the assault are sketchy, but it is believed west Cork man Damien O’Neill was injured in the attack in Boston, which took place after he attended a family wedding.
Mr O’Neill, from Bantry, rose to footballing prominence after coming on as a corner forward sub in the Cork minors’ All-Ireland success in 1991.
Three years later, playing in his more customary role of midfield, he captained the Cork U21s to Munster and All-Ireland success.
A nephew of the great Declan Barron who won a senior All-Ireland football medal with Cork in 1973, Mr O’Neill, now in his mid-30s, owns a successful construction company, Willowford Developments.
His father, Terry, is a selector with the Cork senior football team.
Dr Denis Cotter, a selector with local GAA club Bantry Blues, said the town had been shocked by the news. “Damien is a local hero. He was the best man at my wedding and he’s still playing football with the club. He is very fit and we hope that stands to him. Our prayers are with him and his family,” Dr Cotter said.
Senator Denis O’Donovan said reports of the attack on Mr O’Neill were relayed to him on Sunday as Cork seniors faced Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park.
“I heard it while I was attending the game. Damien is a very popular member of the community in Bantry who captained Bantry Blues to Cork senior championships success in 1995 and 1998,” Senator O’Donovan said.
“He is a very competitive lad who trained as a carpenter and went to Boston to learn the trade more before coming back here and opening his own business, which employs a fair few people. We are all hoping he makes a speedy recovery,” the locally based senator added.
