Rather strange, because he had never mentioned in before.
A ploy to win over the 'Unwashed' on Wearside? Probably.
And yesterday O'Neill - the die-hard Mackem - watched his FIRST Tyne-Wear derby.
However, it did not end with the traditional drink in Alan Pardew's office after the two managers became embroiled in some unseemly touchline exchanges.
Asked if he and Newcastle's manager were poised for a friendly chat ...
Martin O'Neill: "I think I shall go and climb on the bus."
Alan Pardew: "I wanted to have a glass of wine with Martin but I'm told he's gone.
"Silly things got said on the bench, it got out of hand and it was unsavoury but it happens.
"It's a passionate game but maybe I could have been a bit more grown-up about it.
"Maybe Sunderland's bench handled it better. If one or two of us stepped over the line I'll apologise for it."
"I've never celebrating wildly like that.
"I've never done that before.
"It looks terrible but it was just sheer relief we'd got a penalty.
"Unless you're a manager or a player you don't understand the pressure of this game, a lot of emotion was involved. I was really frustrated.
"What he said about members of the staff visiting Mike Dean at half-time is completely untrue!
"None of our staff are allowed in the ref's room. It's not right."