FOOTBALL FEAST AS STARS LINE UP
Football feast as stars line up for Omagh bomb victims
North West Corner with Peter Hucheon
IF it's Tuesday night in Derry, it's football night.
That's the way it has panned out for the past couple of weeks; a bit of a departure from the norm.
This Tuesday's game, of course, is something out of the ordinary, with David Ginola, Ally McCoist and Nicky Butt among the stars expected to turn out at the Brandywell for the benefit game in aid of the Omagh bombing victims.
The game is now a complete sell-out with over 8,000 expected at the ground.
The chance to see Premiership stars from England and Scotland is a big draw but the gate would probably have been as large whoever was playing, given the reason for the benefit.
Thanks to the hard work put in by City manager Felix Healy in attracting top players from the likes of Tottenham and Man United and the organisation of club PRO Jim Roddy it promises to be a hugely successful evening.
Last Tuesday night it was Institute's turn in the spotlight.
Glentoran came for the first game to be played under the new floodlights at the Drumahoe ground after mayor Joe Miller had officially opened the new facilities.
Healy and City chairman Kevin Friel and a host of the club's backers were at the game along with officials from the Irish League and Glentoran.
Although they operate in different football worlds there is an excellent working arrangement between Derry City and Institute.
Institute manager Paul Kee facilitates the senior club with friendlies played behind closed doors when the need arises and games between the two are a regular occurence.
All too often it is the differences between traditions; the crowd trouble between rival 'sectarian' factions which grabs attention.
Tuesday night's game when Republic manager Mick McCarthy brings a team to Brandywell has the enthusiastic support of everyone in the city.
But it is not just the high profile glamour occasion such as this match which brings cooperation and cross community support to sport.
Cricket clubs City of Derry and St Johnston are presently embarking on the second year of a two-year cross-border programme to promote the game in Donegal.
In general the game in the North West is about as cross-community as any in the country.
And there are plenty of other examples of basement level sport in the area being used in the most positive way possible to set up bonds for the future.
Cross community activity is not the implicit aim of these schemes. Sport is played for the sake of playing sport; for the love of the game. The other benefits are merely a bonus.
On Tuesday at Brandywell the victims of Omagh will be remembered. If one of the best ways to move forward from atrocities such as that is to watch 22 men kick a ball around, then so be it.
North West Corner with Peter Hucheon
IF it's Tuesday night in Derry, it's football night.
That's the way it has panned out for the past couple of weeks; a bit of a departure from the norm.
This Tuesday's game, of course, is something out of the ordinary, with David Ginola, Ally McCoist and Nicky Butt among the stars expected to turn out at the Brandywell for the benefit game in aid of the Omagh bombing victims.
The game is now a complete sell-out with over 8,000 expected at the ground.
The chance to see Premiership stars from England and Scotland is a big draw but the gate would probably have been as large whoever was playing, given the reason for the benefit.
Thanks to the hard work put in by City manager Felix Healy in attracting top players from the likes of Tottenham and Man United and the organisation of club PRO Jim Roddy it promises to be a hugely successful evening.
Last Tuesday night it was Institute's turn in the spotlight.
Glentoran came for the first game to be played under the new floodlights at the Drumahoe ground after mayor Joe Miller had officially opened the new facilities.
Healy and City chairman Kevin Friel and a host of the club's backers were at the game along with officials from the Irish League and Glentoran.
Although they operate in different football worlds there is an excellent working arrangement between Derry City and Institute.
Institute manager Paul Kee facilitates the senior club with friendlies played behind closed doors when the need arises and games between the two are a regular occurence.
All too often it is the differences between traditions; the crowd trouble between rival 'sectarian' factions which grabs attention.
Tuesday night's game when Republic manager Mick McCarthy brings a team to Brandywell has the enthusiastic support of everyone in the city.
But it is not just the high profile glamour occasion such as this match which brings cooperation and cross community support to sport.
Cricket clubs City of Derry and St Johnston are presently embarking on the second year of a two-year cross-border programme to promote the game in Donegal.
In general the game in the North West is about as cross-community as any in the country.
And there are plenty of other examples of basement level sport in the area being used in the most positive way possible to set up bonds for the future.
Cross community activity is not the implicit aim of these schemes. Sport is played for the sake of playing sport; for the love of the game. The other benefits are merely a bonus.
On Tuesday at Brandywell the victims of Omagh will be remembered. If one of the best ways to move forward from atrocities such as that is to watch 22 men kick a ball around, then so be it.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0448
Published Date: 03-Oct-98
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