My Year - Michael O'Neill

A brief review of 2010 from Michael O'Neill:

My Year - Michael O'Neill

Best Moment
Well obviously, I suppose, the night in Bray that we clinched the league, it was tense right up until the end and then such a sense of relief at the final whistle to know that we'd done it. But also winning out in Israel (against Bnei Yehuda) to set up the game against Juventus.

Worst Moment
Probably the defeat at home by Sporting Fingal which briefly meant that winning the title was out of our hands. We were doing okay and leading the match but the late goals were poor ones to concede and losing the game was certainly a blow.

Was it a good year for soccer?
I think so yeah. The league went down to the last kick of the season and the cup went to a penalty shoot out so I don't think you could have too many complaints on that front. Obviously we did well and Sligo put together a tremendous run in the cups. And in financial terms there didn't seem to be as many problems as there had been during the previous season or two.

Favourite Memory outside Soccer
Perhaps Down's run to the All Ireland final. I'm quite keen on Gaelic football, I used to play up to minor label for my local club in Ballymena and for Antrim too but had to give up to concentrate full time on soccer.

Who is your Irish Sportsperson of the Year?
It might be hard to see beyond Graeme McDowell after the year he's had. I've never met him but my father's a member up at Royal Portrush where I believe he's still to be found hanging around a bit at this time of year and I've played the place a few times.

This article appeared in the Irish Times 30-12-10