Practice makes perfect for Tyrone’s O’Neill

Stephen O’Neill has been quick to play down the significance of his excellent scores that sealed Tyrone’s Division 1 spot on Sunday.

His two left-footed marvels have been lauded across the country but he shrugged: “Some days they go over, most days they go wide, so just lucky enough.

“Any of the boys out there will tell you that I’d give it a swing with anything. I’ll give it a slap and sure if it goes over, it goes over.”

O’Neill showed himself capable of scoring with both feet after being predominantly a left-footed footballer in his underage years.

Ribbing from a family relative was one of the reasons why he began to work harder on becoming ambidextrous.

“My uncle is always giving me stick about using both feet, ‘you have to be able to use both feet because they can use both feet’.

“So I did that whenever I was young. Mickey (Harte) would have given us great advice when we were minors and that, to use both feet as well. I think most young boys are getting that all the time now.

“It takes a bit of practice. I did practice it quite hard when I was younger, before training and even during training I’d always use, say, instead of my left foot I’d switch it over and try to pass it with my right foot.”

Apart from field and weight training, O’Neill has been a regular for shooting practice outside in Tyrone’s impressive new Garvaghey centre since it opened.

“You’re able to get away up before training, before weights and maybe do a bit of shooting. It’s good to have that facility.”

The 32-year-old is certainly benefiting from an injury-free league campaign this spring. “I think a good run gets the fitness levels up and that. I feel good this year. It’s a breath of fresh air.”

A first Division 1 final since 2003 against Dublin on April 28 is the reward for his and Tyrone’s efforts although he is mindful of the May 26 date with Donegal.

“The years do definitely fly in. There are only five boys left from that ‘03 team.

“You don’t get that many opportunities but thankfully we have managed to get to a final now.

“It gives an extra game but we’re sitting on the shelf and Donegal will be there looking at us.”