RONAN O’NEILL ruffled some of the GAA’s more reserved feathers in April with the use of the ‘dab’ to celebrate a goal in the Allianz Football League Division 2 final against Cavan.
The Tyrone ace’s celebration was perhaps an outline of the returned swagger among the Red Hands as they powered their way to a win at Croke Park.
The celebratory technique was pioneered by America Football player Cam Newton and O’Neill became the first Gaelic footballer to latch on.
“Some of the boys from Omagh asked me to do it if I scored a goal on TV and just came into my head,” he later said in an interview.
“Caused a bit of controversy, but sure what doesn’t in Tyrone?
“Listen, I think the game’s got quite serious over the last four or five years…if you want to celebrate a goal you should celebrate a goal. Every person is their own person, and if they want to do it they should do it.”
The Omagh man has been marked out as one to watch for some time now.
Last winter, Mickey Harte beckoned him to become one of the lead members of the Tyrone cast and, ahead of Sunday’s Ulster final, he’s done just that so far.
His two goals in the first 20 minutes against Derry knocked the stuffing from the Oak Leaf and O’Neill is now looking forward to emulating his heroes on Sunday by claiming the Anglo Celt.
“It means a lot to the squad,” O’Neill told Donegal Sport Hub.
“There is great excitement and we’re really looking forward to it.
“It’s a privilage to play for Tyrone. There is a great buzz around the whole county now.”
Donegal dropped Tyrone from the perch in 2011 and the three-time All-Ireland champions haven’t dined at the top table since.
O’Neill said: “Teams go through phases. Tyrone were successful from 2003 to 2010 and then Donegal came along. Donegal came very strong and played very well in the last number of years.
“It’ll be a very intense game on Sunday.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/ronan-oneill-ahead-of-ulster-final
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