Cork’s O’Neill enjoying Rapid rise

Shane O’Neill may be getting used to the bright lights of the MLS in the United States, but it is the golden memories of summers spent in Cork that widen his grin that extra inch.

Every time he thinks back to his childhood, O’Neill gets a little giddy as he recalls long nights playing with his cousins, being around grandparents, and watching the Republic of Ireland.

Born in Midleton, he was raised in Colorado after his parents moved Stateside to set up two Irish pubs. And now, the 20-year-old has become one of the best young players in North America.

This might be his first full season with the Colorado Rapids, but the 6ft 2in defender has excelled to the point that both Ireland and the United States are fighting over him.

Torn between the two, O’Neill feels a loyalty to the US, who he represented at this summer’s FIFA U20 World Cup, yet the draw of family and his true home is playing on his mind.

“I’ve represented the US growing up and it was a great experience to play at the U20 World Cup, but I have to admit that I would love the opportunity to play for Ireland. But I haven’t made a decision yet,” said O’Neill.

“My family would enjoy seeing me wear that green jersey and it would make them very proud. But I have to deal with the decision and see what the best options are for me and I have a little time still.

“It’s very humbling that both countries are interested. I’m just trying to take it all in and figure out what is best for me. I have a lot of family in Ireland and I know what way they would like me to go.”

Before he decides whom to represent at international level, O’Neill has work to do on the club front as the Rapids take on Seattle Sounders tonight in a must-win knock-out play-off game.

As he contemplates how to keep Seattle’s Clint Dempsey quiet, the straight-talking, tough-tackling youngster knows he has more to add to his game, but it’s been a case of so far, so good.

“I still have some way to go in my development and I know I have to improve on certain things, like defending at set-pieces to make sure I’m fully focused all of the time,” said O’Neill.

“But I feel I’m getting better with the more games I play. Getting to play at the U20 World Cup was a huge step, because it was a different level, so quick and physically you had to adapt to that style in order to keep up.

“I just have to keep working hard for my club, trying to help them to make the play-offs, which would be huge for us, and then I can look more at the national team situation because that’s a big decision.”

If the Rapids progress through the next two rounds of the play-offs, O’Neill could end up marking LA Galaxy’s Robbie Keane.