Stephen O'Neill's operation

[donegal gael]

Tyrone football supremo Mickey Harte has all but resigned himself to being without ace attacker Stephen O'Neill as the attacker faces up to the prospect of knee surgery.

O'Neill has been troubled by knee problems for the past number of months and surgery now seems inevitable.

"Stephen probably needs surgery and that will possibly happen in the forseeable future," said Harte.

"I understand that the recovery time will be six to seven months and it is likely Stephen will miss the most of next season's National League.

"The primary wim at the moment is to get the problem with his knee fixed and after that the target will be to hopefully be fully recovered and ready for next year's championship, all being well.

"He has had the tendonitis condition for a while. There is a bit of a tear behind the kneecap and that's caused Stephen great problems.

"In trying to compensate for it to play football, the condition has caused other problems with his hamstring and it looks at the moment that he will ahve surgery to sort out the problem in the near future."


i find this a bit strange.. why was o'neill not in for the operation straight after the championship its now about a month and a half since tyrone went out and only now are they talking about an operation it would be better for the player and tyrone if he had it as soon as possible.. it would enable him to get match practice ahead of the chmpionship rather than missing the whole nfl... when you think about it he has more or less missed 2 years of football except for brief appearences here and there..

[J70]

Maybe it didn't suit him personally. What does he work at?

Or maybe they thought it might heal without surgery.

[Over the Bar]

i find this a bit strange.. why was o'neill not in for the operation straight after the championship its now about a month and a half since tyrone went out and only now are they talking about an operation it would be better for the player and tyrone if he had it as soon as possible..

As strange as it may seems maybe Stephen O'Neill has a life outside football and puts his health before inconvenience to the championship calendar rather than the other way around!

[tyrone86]

If I'm not mistaken, he's back teaching in Strabane, not 100% sure but possibly in Barrack Street.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

I believe Stevie's just taken up a post in Gortin.

[Puckoon]

He is some man. Teaching in strabane, gortin, while selling houses with Mickey Harte. Hats off to you stephen, you can do it!
Hope the operation is a success.

[tyrone86]

I stand corrected Fear. I knew it was somewhere in the North Tyrone vicinity, though how I mixed up the bright lights of Strabane and the hills of Gortin I'll never know 

[ziggysego]

He's a teacher alright, I just don't recall what school. Don't think it's Gortin anyway.

[oakleafgael]

Stephen was teaching in Bellaghy up until recently but left for a post closer to home. Im not 100% sure where but its in a school around his own parish, either Gortin or the Plum.

[Puckoon]

Hadnt he left teaching to work for O'Neills?

[Tyrones own]

Yea i thought he was a rep for O'Neills aswell.

[Tyrone Dreamer]

I think its all true. He has worked for Harte, O'Neills and a also a couple of teaching posts. Im sure teaching is his preferred option.

[orangeman]

Don't think he has got a full time post yet which is scandalous !

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

He is some man. Teaching in strabane, gortin, while selling houses with Mickey Harte. Hats off to you stephen, you can do it!
Hope the operation is a success.

And regularly attending Irish classes in Sion Mills!

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

I stand corrected Fear. I knew it was somewhere in the North Tyrone vicinity, though how I mixed up the bright lights of Strabane and the hills of Gortin I'll never know 

Easily done, Gortin can be a thriving hive of activity too