Humphrey O'Neill explained

Code:Football
Sport:Gaelic football
Humphrey O'Neill
Irish:Amhlaoibh Ó Néill
Birth Date:1925
Death Date:9 February 1976 (aged 50)
Feet:5
Inches:9
Nickname:Small
Occupation:Wholesaler
County:Cork
Province:Munster
Club:Clonakilty
University College Cork
Clcounty:4
Colleges:University College Cork
Sig:0
Counties:Cork
Icposition:Left wing-back
Icyears:1945-1953
Icapps(Points):12 (0-02)
Icprovince:2
Icallireland:1
Nfl:0
Birth Place:Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland
Death Place:St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland

Humphrey Patrick O'Neill (1925 - 9 February 1976) was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for club sides Clonakilty, University College Cork and at inter-county level with the Cork senior football team.

Career

O'Neill first came to Gaelic football prominence as a member of the Clonakilty club that was enjoying a golden age in terms of success. He became a regular member of the club's senior team in 1944 and won four County Championship titles in nine seasons. O'Neill was drafted onto the Cork senior football team for the 1945 Munster final, a decision which was criticised due to his relative youth and inexperience, however, he ended the game with his first winners' medal. He ended the season by lining out at centre-forward when Cork claimed the All-Ireland title after a defeat of Cavan in the final.[1] [2] [3] O'Neill won a second Munster Championship medal as a substitute in 1949. He returned to the team for one final season as captain in 1953.

Personal life and death

O'Neill married Catherine M. "Ina" Sheehy in Cork in 1951. The couple later relocated to Ballsbridge in Dublin and had six children. His nephew, Dave McCarthy, won an All-Ireland medal with Cork in 1973.[4] O'Neill died after a brief period of illness at Mercer's Hospital on 9 February 1976.

Honours

Clonakilty

1944, 1946, 1947, 1952

Cork

1945

1945, 1949

Notes and References

  1. News: Clon connections to Cork success in 1945. West Cork People. September 2020. 3 April 2021.
  2. News: A football life less ordinary. The Anglo-Celt. 3 February 2010. 3 April 2021.
  3. News: Bailieborough and the Cavan goalkeeping connection. Irish Independent. 31 July 2013. 3 April 2021. Colm. Keys.
  4. News: Cork newsagents MacCarthy’s shuts up shop after 105 years. Irish Examiner. 22 December 2017. 8 April 2021. Noel. Baker.