Neal is an ex-professional footballer with Cork City FC and the author of two books on the League of Ireland.  He is currently a litigation solicitor with JW O' Donovan solicitors and a director of IN.FORM sports advisory service.

Neal spent 14 seasons with Cork City in the League of Ireland and wrote the books 'Death of a Football Club?' and 'Second City' shortly after retiring from football. He qualified as a solicitor in 2012.

While his day job involves civil litigation in the Circuit and High Court, Neal has a Diploma in Sports Law and is a director of IN.FORM, a sports advisory service aimed at providing professional advice to emerging athletes.