Former teacher backs O’Neill to succeed in NI job

John Sexton coached O’Neill throughout his school career at St Louis Grammar and isn’t surprised that the former Ballymena man has risen to the heights of attaining the most prestigious position in management in this country.

“He played for me from first year right through until midway through Lower Sixth, when he signed for Newcastle United,” recalled Sexton, who has now retired from teaching.

“Ironically, Michael wasn’t involved in any of our teams which won Northern Ireland titles – the team he played in wasn’t the strongest although we reached the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Cup but to be fair, he carried us through.

“We also had Michael Hughes at the school at that same time – he was two years younger.

“Unfortunately we never got the opportunity to unleash the two of them at the same time in the school’s senior team – the rules of the competitions stated that you were allowed to play ‘up’ in years up to the age of under-15, but an under-15 player wasn’t allowed to play for the under-17s, so that kept the two Michaels apart.

“Michael was always a very hard worker, very dedicated and very interested in sport. His father Dessie came from a financial background and Michael was very bright – he was certainly good enough to have gone to university had he not chosen football as a career.

“When it came to football you could see his quality straight away. I remember a first year game against Dunclug at Smithfield when we took a centre, Michael dribbled past most of their team and scored a brilliant individual goal. I just remember thinking ‘what a talent we have here’.

“He was so good he usually ended up playing a year or two above his age group. He was so lean and lanky and was playing against older, stronger boys but he could always look after himself.

“I wasn’t surprised when he went on to have a great playing career and I’m not surprised he has started the same way in management – the way he turned around Shamrock Rovers in particualr was incredible and I’m sure he will try to do the same with Northern Ireland.

“It’s a big step up and he has already spoken about the issues he will face but I think he’s ready for it.

“One thing is sure – he’ll never forget his roots. Both he and Michael Hughes were back at St Louis fairly regularly during their playing days.

“I also remember a story about Michael O’Neill from a few years ago, when Jim Magilton was managing Ipswich and I went through Michael to see if I could get tickets for a fried of mine who supported Ipswich.

“I hadn’t spoken to Michael in a few years and when I got him on the phone, I said ‘bet you don’t know who this is?’ He said ‘it wouldn’t be Mr Sexton, would it?’.

“Even after all those years he still had the respect to call me by the same name he called me at school and that’s typical of Michael,” added John.