Michael O'Neill (born 29 November 1960) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Lancashire, and at club level for Widnes (two spells), Rochdale Hornets and Leeds, as a .
O'Neill was born in Widnes, Lancashire, England. Mike is the brother of former rugby league player and coach Steve O'Neill.
During the 1978âÂÂ79 season, O'Neill was an unused substitute in Widnes' 16-4 victory over Warrington in the 1978âÂÂ79 John Player Trophy Final at Knowsley Road, St Helens on Saturday 28 April 1979. He played as a substitute in Widnes' 12-3 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1978âÂÂ79 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1979, in front of a crowd of 94,218.
O'Neill played in Widnes' 19âÂÂ5 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1979âÂÂ80 Premiership Final at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 17 May 1980.
He played at in the 18âÂÂ9 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1980âÂÂ81 Challenge Cup Final during the 1980âÂÂ81 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1981, in front of a crowd of 92,496,
The following year, he played in the 14âÂÂ14 draw with Hull F.C. in the 1981âÂÂ82 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 92,147, and also played in the 9âÂÂ18 defeat by Hull F.C. in the replay at Elland Road, Leeds on Wednesday 19 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 41,171. He played in the 23âÂÂ8 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1981âÂÂ82 Premiership Final at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 15 May 1982.
He played the 22âÂÂ10 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1982âÂÂ83 Premiership Final during the 1982âÂÂ83 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 14 May 1983.
During the 1983âÂÂ84 season, O'Neill played at in the 10âÂÂ18 defeat by Leeds in the 1983âÂÂ84 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1983âÂÂ84 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 14 January 1984, and he played at in the 19-6 victory over Wigan in the 1983âÂÂ84 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1984, in front of a crowd of 80,116.
O'Neill played in Widnes' victories in the Championship during the 1987âÂÂ88 season and 1988âÂÂ89 season. He also played in the 38-14 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1987âÂÂ88 Premiership Final during the 1987âÂÂ88 season at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 15 May 1988.
O'Neill played in Widnes' 20-14 victory over Wigan in the Charity Shield during the 1988âÂÂ89 season at Okells Bowl, Douglas, Isle of Man on Sunday 21 August 1988, and played at in the 6âÂÂ12 defeat by Wigan in the 1988âÂÂ89 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1988âÂÂ89 season at Burnden Park, Bolton on Saturday 7 January 1989. He also appeared in the 18âÂÂ10 victory over St Helens in the 1988âÂÂ89 Premiership Final during the 1988âÂÂ89 season at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 14 May 1989.
In the 1989âÂÂ90 season, he played in the 27âÂÂ22 victory over Wigan in the Charity Shield at Anfield, Liverpool on Sunday 27 August 1989, and in the 28âÂÂ6 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1989âÂÂ90 Premiership Final at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 13 May 1990.
In 1990, O'Neill was signed by Rochdale Hornets for a club-record fee of ã70,000.
In 1991, O'Neill was signed by Leeds in a part-exchange deal, with Rochdale receiving a fee of ã20,000 plus the New Zealand international, Mike Kuiti. He was a substitute in Leeds' 16-26 defeat by Wigan in the 1993âÂÂ94 Challenge Cup Final during the 1993âÂÂ94 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 30 April 1994, in front of a crowd of 78,348. In doing so he set, and still holds, the record for the longest time span between first and last Challenge Cup Final appearances.
O'Neill won caps for Great Britain while at Widnes in 1982, against France and Australia, and in 1983, against France (2 matches).
In addition to the above Test Matches, O'Neill played at in Great Britain's 7-8 defeat by France in the friendly at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, Venice on Saturday 31 July 1982; he also played 5-times for Great Britain Under-24 team.
O'Neill was selected for the 1984 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand.