UNITED GIVE OMAGH A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
United give Omagh a night to remember
by David Kelly
ONLY when the world's biggest club comes to town does a local fire engine become a mini-grandstand.
Last night every vantage point was craved and duly snatched. A row of skylights revealed flags and eager faces, while the roof-tops saw many fans precariously perched.
Inside St Julian's Road, Omagh, 7,000 filled every seat to watch Treble winners Manchester United put on an exhibition of their collective brilliance. While many of the United fanatics - particularly the females - were divided with the absence of pin-ups David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, the event could in no way be overshadowed.
The minute's silence for those victims of the Real IRA bomb, which claimed 29 lives on August 15, was only interrupted by a murmur of noise from these on the nearby roadside and one could not help reflecting on the cruel images which flashed across the world last year.
Europe's number one club side had come to play their part in rebuilding the heart and soul of a town which will be forever inextricably linked with tragedy.
Those gathered to savour the skills of Republic of Ireland international Roy Keane - United's captain - Denis Irwin, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole et al revealed a microcosm of United's merchandising might with every strip over the past three years, at least, represented.
Young and old were clothed in the blue, black, famous red and the latest white away shirt.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson acted as his worshippers demanded, penning his name for those who swamped him with shirts, programmes and any piece of paper they could find.
The only irony before and after the 9-0 showpiece against Omagh Town was the rendition of 'United on their way to Wembley to win the FA Cup'.
Captain Keane was returning to the line-up and he was clearly the fans' number one hero, even though Sheringham stole the show with a quartet of sharp finishing, beginning after only 27 seconds.
The result was unimportant and the crowd only truly found their voice when the Old Trafford stars paraded their silverware amind a blizzard of flashbulbs. While the lap of honour continued, two Irish heroes embraced, Keane and former world snooker champion Alex Higgins.
by David Kelly
ONLY when the world's biggest club comes to town does a local fire engine become a mini-grandstand.
Last night every vantage point was craved and duly snatched. A row of skylights revealed flags and eager faces, while the roof-tops saw many fans precariously perched.
Inside St Julian's Road, Omagh, 7,000 filled every seat to watch Treble winners Manchester United put on an exhibition of their collective brilliance. While many of the United fanatics - particularly the females - were divided with the absence of pin-ups David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, the event could in no way be overshadowed.
The minute's silence for those victims of the Real IRA bomb, which claimed 29 lives on August 15, was only interrupted by a murmur of noise from these on the nearby roadside and one could not help reflecting on the cruel images which flashed across the world last year.
Europe's number one club side had come to play their part in rebuilding the heart and soul of a town which will be forever inextricably linked with tragedy.
Those gathered to savour the skills of Republic of Ireland international Roy Keane - United's captain - Denis Irwin, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole et al revealed a microcosm of United's merchandising might with every strip over the past three years, at least, represented.
Young and old were clothed in the blue, black, famous red and the latest white away shirt.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson acted as his worshippers demanded, penning his name for those who swamped him with shirts, programmes and any piece of paper they could find.
The only irony before and after the 9-0 showpiece against Omagh Town was the rendition of 'United on their way to Wembley to win the FA Cup'.
Captain Keane was returning to the line-up and he was clearly the fans' number one hero, even though Sheringham stole the show with a quartet of sharp finishing, beginning after only 27 seconds.
The result was unimportant and the crowd only truly found their voice when the Old Trafford stars paraded their silverware amind a blizzard of flashbulbs. While the lap of honour continued, two Irish heroes embraced, Keane and former world snooker champion Alex Higgins.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0720
Published Date: 04-Aug-99
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