O’Neill’s goal threat could hand victory to Armagh

Exactly two years today, Rian O’Neill of Crossmaglen, south Armagh, flew across the world to one of the oldest sporting institutions in the world — the North Melbourne Australian Rules club — to see how he might shape up as a prospective player.

O’Neill had already been identified by Aussie Rules scouts and brought to former Collingwood Magpies and Down All-Star Marty Clarke for some coaching sessions and an education process after parents and players have decided to try out the oval ball. Clarke liked much about O’Neill and felt he was a genuine stand-out candidate.