After narrowly avoiding relegation last year, Ballymena United goalkeeper Sean O’Neill may have been forgiven for expecting more of the same this term.
However, on Saturday afternoon a win against struggling Loughgall will put the Sky Blues within touching distance of leaders Linfield in the Sports Direct Premiership table, and the veteran stopper couldn’t be happier.
At 35 years of age and three league titles to his name from his time at Crusaders, what strikes most from talking to O’Neill is the passion that remains in his voice when he speaks of wanting to be a winner once more.
“I’m excited again this season,” he said.
“We all know the tough times we had last year, but in fairness to Jim (Ervin) he has brought in a good blend of players, some great pros and some youth.
“I think last year we maybe had too many young local lads and what we missed was that bit of experience on the field, and I think we have solved this now.
“Yes, it’s still early doors in the season, and we won’t get carried away, but why not give the fans something to dream of.”
After losing all four of their opening games of the season, United have managed a dramatic U-turn, winning their next six encounters to surge to second spot in the Premiership. So, what does O’Neill make of the change in fortune?
“I can’t actually put my finger on the reasons for the turnaround,” said the man enjoying a second stint at the Warden Street club said.
“What I do know is that we always had belief in ourselves. We could see the performances coming each week and knew that a win was just around the corner.
“To be fair to Jim, he has never wavered in his plans. He has stuck to his principles steadfastly which was a risk for him, but it is paying off now.
“All a player wants is stability and know what they need to do when they walk onto the pitch at 3pm on a Saturday.”
The current run of form is the best the club has been on since 2021, although some way short of their 12 consecutive wins witnessed in 2018, and O’Neill is keen to point out the role of incoming players in the upturn in fortunes.
“I knew Ben Kennedy from our time at the Crues,” said the veteran.
“I was as shocked as anyone when I saw he signed for us as he was taking a gamble given our form last year.
“But, Jim sold him his vision and now look at him leading the goalscoring charts. I think he had gone a bit stale at Seaview and needed a change for his career and I think he’s got it here with us.
“You also look at Ethan Devine who has come in from Linfield. Another one to come in with no ego or arrogance, just willing to get his head down, and we can see the difference he is making too, chipping in alongside Ben with the goals.”
Saturday’s opponents Loughgall bear more than a little resemblance to the Sky Blues of last year. Dean Smith’s men just cannot get a win as they languish in 11th spot, just one place ahead of basement boys Carrick Rangers.
The Villagers are having a serious case of second-season syndrome having done so well in their first season back in the top flight last season. O’Neill can recognise the similarities with his side.
“I certainly can sympathise with them, it has been tough,” he said.
“But, at the same time I can’t give too much thought to them. We are going after the three points and if that means making Loughgall’s plight worse then so be it, it’s cut-throat.
“We know we have to keep the momentum going,” O’Neill added.
“We are not naïve enough to think we wont have a tough time through winter at some stage, so we need to get as many points on the board as possible now.
“That starts on Saturday. There is no point beating the likes of Larne and then getting beat by a team second-from-bottom, we are going to need to be ruthless and give the fans that have stuck by us something to dream about come the end of the season.”
