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Goalkeeper Sean O’Neill said he had “no regrets” from his illustrious Irish Premiership career as he hangs up the gloves.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 37-year-old announced earlier in the week that he would retire after Ballymena United’s Irish Premiership game against Cliftonville, which ended 2-2.<\/p>\n
O’Neill has had a lengthy and successful Irish League career which included two spells at the Sky Blues, a season with Dungannon Swifts and an 11-year stint at Seaview during which he won three Premiership titles and secured Irish Cup, League Cup, County Antrim Shield and Setanta Cup medals.<\/p>\n
“I have no regrets in the game,” O’Neill told BBC Sport NI contributor Stephen Alexander.<\/p>\n
“From starting out here, Tommy [Wright] gave me my debut. To think I’d play over 500 games in this league and win everything, I didn’t think so. I’m just so delighted I’ve done it all.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy with going out in a competitive game. It was a difficult game but I’m happy and I can be content with what I have done in my career.”<\/p>\n
In between the posts for the Sky Blues this season, O’Neill registered clean sheets against Glenavon, Portadown, Bangor, Linfield and Coleraine.<\/p>\n
Despite just retiring, he is not taking much time to relax and is set for a coaching opportunity.<\/p>\n
O’Neill also added that he would love to take over the helm at a club in the Irish Premiership in the future.<\/p>\n
“If I’m honest, I have a coaching opportunity and I have to look beyond playing. I’ve been offered a job, I’m not going to make bones about it, that is what’s happened,” he continued.<\/p>\n
“I wish I could have stayed to the end of the year but, to be honest, the job wouldn’t have been there. I have to think about myself now.<\/p>\n
“I would love a [manager’s] job one day. I love this league and to be a manager one day in it would be great and further on who knows? Ultimately that’s what I want to do, I have set my stall out early. That’s what I want to do and hopefully I’ll get there.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n