Stephen O’Neill says his competitive streak hasn’t left him.
Neither has his predatory instinct he showed once again with a five point haul to help Tyrone overcome Dublin after extra-time in the All-Ireland Master final over the weekend.
The 2005 Footballer of the Year was on top of his game at Ballinagh (Cavan) as Tyrone made it back to back Dr. Mick Loftus Cups in a repeat of last year’s decider.
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O’Neill, who turns 42 in November, was voted Man of the Match in a Tyrone team, which also featured Red Hand All-Ireland winners Conor Gormley and Ciaran Gourley and Fermanagh All Star Martin McGrath.
Clann na Gael club man O’Neill now holds eight All-Ireland medals with Tyrone - three senior, two masters, two under-21 and one minor.
“We definitely had to dig deep there for the win but we knew coming down the road that Dublin were going to be a tough nut to crack as they give us a very difficult game last year,” said O’Neill.
“It was the same here and even when they got the man sent off at a time when they trailed by three points they rallied to go two in front.
“That is testament to how good a side they are.
“We were a wee bit wasteful with possession at times and taking the wrong options when lumping the ball in and after they got their goal they got a bit of a run on us.
“We got ourselves settled though and managed to get a couple of points late on to draw the game.
“To be honest I missed a handy enough chance to win it in normal time.
“We are just glad that the team came together and the boys that came on did their bit and we managed to just get across the line.
“This year the Masters started early so we have been training for a longer time but most of the lads are still playing some football of some sort.
“And hey listen it’s good to keep fit and keep a bit of weight off when you get to over 40s age.
“You take it as a bit of craic at training and that but when you get out onto the pitch for a match you still want to win.
“That competitive streak doesn’t leave you.”
The Dublin side featured Brendan McManamon - older brother of Kevin and All-Ireland winner Denis Bastick, who came off the bench but was sent off soon afterwards.
Dublin rallied after the red card and made a serious game of it.
For O’Neill it’s not the first medal he has won this season as he helped his club to a Division 3 reserve league title.
However, the Junior Championship may be a bridge too far, the three-time All-Ireland winner and All Star reckons: “Junior football in Tyrone would be too quick for me.”
O’Neill looked fresh and flying fit against the Dubs as he rolled back the
years scoring an outstanding 47 metre free with the outside of his boot on the stroke of half-time.
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