Ronan O’Neill had a choice to make last winter.
The talented forward had suffered a frustrating 2015, as Mickey Harte decided to use other players ahead of the Omagh club man during the march to the last four of the All-Ireland series
O’Neill, Tyrone’s top scorer this season, admits that he spoke to friends and family to decide if he would commit to another campaign of inter-county football after a late cameo in the loss to Kerry.
“Last year I had to think long and hard if I wanted to be with Tyrone next season and be good enough to be there. I made a decision that I’d give it a right good lash in the off-season. I played a lot of games and a run of games brings confidence and I think confidence is key.
While he did not discuss his issues with Mickey Harte directly, the Jordanstown student, speaking at the AIB GAA All Ireland Senior Football Championship Launch, does admit that Tyrone boss asked him to do everything possible to reach his potential.
“We always have meetings at the end of year and Mickey was looking for me to push on this year, and be a key part of the team, as he does for everyone. I took it on board, and last year other lads getting on in front of me was very frustrating, and I took it by myself to push on.”
A strict fitness program, as well as a chat with family and friends, is what the Omagh club man describes as the basis for his early season form that saw him top score for his county in their successful Allianz football league campaign with a tally of 2-25.
SUPERB! Watch GAA.ie Football POTW Ronan O'Neill score this goal for @TyroneGAALive in last Sunday's Ulster Q-Final! https://t.co/dHaVyKnur8
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 24, 2016
He grabbed 2-2 in the win over Derry last Sunday, but his progress as a top class forward has been stunted.
O’Neill, seen as the brightest underage prospect in the county for many years at minor and U21, took some time to catch up to the potential shown at underage
“I only came into the senior set-up in 2012, and I did my cruciate and it took the long hard way to get back. The game probably evolved around then and Donegal putting in serious effort into the game and their preparation. It probably took me two of three years to grasp it, the professionalism of GAA at the moment.
Tyrone are already installed as favourites to lift the Anglo Celt in July, and O’Neill has no issue with the rising expectation in the county, even if they have not recorded a major win over Kerry, Dublin or Mayo in championship for a number of years.
O’Neill thinks Tyrone will have learned from last year’s four-point loss to Kerry.
“Hands down we should have beaten them. There were goal chances. We would have won like. You can’t be going in with the element of fear because then you’ll not turn up or you’ll not play to your potential so listen we are quietly confident within our squad that whenever we go out to play whoever it is we will put up a performance and mix it with the best.
Tyrone will discover their Ulster semi-final opponents this weekend, as Cavan face Armagh. O’Neill, who will be watching the game, feels the provincial series is still the ultimate test for any team with All-Ireland ambitions.
It's a universal celebration now, from @NFL & @CameronNewton to @TyroneGAALive & Ronan O'Neill, it's the dab! pic.twitter.com/V72IjjQQgA
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) April 24, 2016
And will O’Neill be hoping to crack out his ‘Dab celebration again during the summer, after forgetting to do the iconic hand gesture in Sunday’s win over Derry.
“If you can’t celebrate scoring a goal, what are you meant to celebrate? Look, it’s just a bit of craic. Some of the boys from Omagh asked me to do it if I scored a goal on TV. It just came into my head. Caused a bit of controversy but sure what doesn’t in Tyrone?”
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