All Kneel to O’Neill at O’Neill’s: CU Punter Gets Community Support

Fans don’t usually like it when their punter has to come on the field. It means the
end of a possession where the offense failed to score.

But at one bar in Boulder, watching number eight line up behind the long snapper,
fourth down is a small victory.

At Conor O’Neill’s, CU punter Darragh O’Neill has his own support staff.

Think the last name is just a coincidence?

Since 1999, Darragh’s father, Colm O’Neill, has co-owned the Irish bar located on
13th Street.

Darragh, a Fairview High School graduate, is one of the few true homegrown talents
playing for the Buffs.

Darragh walked on to the team last spring and earned the starting position, a feat
that Colm said he thinks is an inspiration to other young Boulder athletes.

Ever since Darragh made the team, the O’Neill’s staff has honored him by wearing
his jersey number on CU football game days.

“It’s cool that they support me so much and that they support the team,” said
Darragh. “It’s a lot of fun.”

The Irish inspiration doesn’t just stop here at Conor O’Neill’s with its variety of Irish
brew, but also influences Darragh’s punting style, which comes from Gaelic football.
In the Irish sport, the players need to be able to kick with both feet in a style similar
to the punt used in American football.

Darragh’s dual footed kicking ability caught the eyes of Special Teams coach, J.D.
Brookhart.

“You get him on the field and really it’s his versatility,” Brookhart said. “He can kick
the ball left, right, and can place it really well. He’s also able to roll out, which makes
it really tough on punt return teams.”

While this season has been a struggle for the Buffs, it has offered a lot of
opportunities for the young punter.

The sophomore is currently averaging 43 yards per punt. With his longest punt
reaching 57 yards, according to ESPN.com.

Darragh O’Neill said he hopes to improve throughout the season and for years to
come at CU.

O’Neill will take the field again on Saturday against Stanford at Folsom Field in the
Homecoming game. Kickoff is at 12 p.m.