It’s a weekend to remember for our young striker Paul O’Neill. Last night he scored both Northern Ireland’s goals in their 2-3 Under 21 defeat to Finland at Ballymena Showgrounds. This morning the Northern Ireland Football Writers announced Paul as its NI Football Awards Dream Spanish Homes Young Player of the Year for the 2019-20 season.
Although he joined the club as a 14 year old and made his debut as a 17-year old sub in the last game of the 2016-17, last season was Paul’s big breakthrough year as he made 30 first team appearances, scoring 12 goals. He ended the season on a deservedly high note with our spectacular opener in the Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup Final.
Paul told the NIFWA on winning his award: “It’s brilliant to get this award after the first full season when I’ve played regularly. I started most games and scored a few goals – especially in the Irish Cup final and I’ve over the moon to get the award.
We’ve brought in a lot of new players, eight new signings and we will be pushing for the league. We’ll at least be up there challenging with a big strong squad. We’ve two good players for every position and we’ll be going all out to challenge for the title.”
Head Coach Mick McDermott: “Paul thoroughly deserves his Young Footballer of the Year Award. His scoring record over the course of the season culminating in an Irish Cup final win, and his all-round performances have made him the standout young player in our League.
We saw further proof tonight as to the level of his talent, with his first start for the Northern Ireland U21s and two goals. I have said it before and will state again that with consistent performances he is bound for greater Leagues than ours”.
Paul is the seventh Glentoran player to win this award, But the first since Philip Simpson, fifteen years. Previous Glens winners were Alfie Stewart, Paul Millar, Justin McBride, Glenn Little, Andy Kirk and Philip Simpson. Our current player Rory Donnelly picked up the award in 2012.
Well done Paul! One of our own!
Paul scores for Northern Ireland U21s v Finland last night (Photo by Pacemaker)
