UNITED goalkeeper Sean O'Neill has been called up into the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad for their friendly in Portugal this week.

Steve Beaglehole has named Sean as part of his 17-man squad to travel to Guarda in Portugal for the friendly in preparation for the forthcoming European Under-21 Qualifiers which start in September.

Although he is likely to play back-up to Sunderland goalkeeper Trevor Carson, the Belfast based goalkeeper travels looking to add to his single cap against Ukraine Under-21's last season, which made him only the fifth Ballymena United play to be capped at this level, along with Tom Sloan, Shea Campbell, Aaron Callaghan and Lee Colligan.

O'Neill will now miss United's Paddy Power County Antrim Shield first round tie against Harland & Wolff Welders at the Showgrounds on Tuesday night, as manager Roy Walker looks to add another goalkeeper to his panel before this tie.

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