20-year-old goalkeeper Sean O'Neill can finally get his career back on track after what was a traumatic 2007-2008 season for the West Belfast man.

Affectionately nicknamed 'Oggers', Sean was born on 11th April, 1988 and has shown his pedigree in two different sporting arenas during his short career so far.

A fine Gaelic footballer, the Davitts' half-forward was part of the 2006 Antrim Minor Gaelic football team which reached the all-Ulster final at Croke Park, narrowly losing out to Donegal in the Saffron's first final since 1982.

However, he has made an equally impressive rise through the ranks at the Ballymena Showgrounds since arriving in 2005. Despite his young age, he is renowned for his maturity and leadership beyond his years and quickly became first choice goalkeeper for the Ballymena United Reserve side.

In 2006-2007, Sean had a truly memorable season as he made his first team debut and also won the Reserve Team player of the year award as United's second string clinched their first ever Reserve League Championship, under the leadership of David Dorrian.

O'Neill played a key role, as the young Sky Blues fought to the wire for the title, and he even added a goal or two himself. Then in April 2007, just a few days after his 19th birthday; then Braid manager, Tommy Wright, handed him a start in the first team for an end-of-season League tie against Loughgall in which the Skies comfortably won 4-1.

The following season promised much, as the Reserves looked intent on retaining their League title, and Sean was knocking on the door of the first team and putting pressure on first-choice stopper, Paul Murphy.

In October 2007, in an attempt to shake things up at Warden Street ahead of a County Antrim Shield semi-final clash against Crusaders; Wright brought Sean back into the first-team alongside a young Johnny Flynn. Despite the 2-1 defeat both players could not be faulted with impressive performances.

A few weeks later though, 'Oggers' world turned upside down as after complaining about a migraine, it soon turned out he needed a serious operation to relieve a build-up of fluid on his brain. Fortunately the operation was a success, but would rule the talented goalkeeper out of action for the rest of the season.

The bubbly custodian made a return to pre-season training ahead of the 2008/2009 and is fighting fit ahead of the new season, and everyone at the Showgrounds is glad to see it.