TO A MAN UNITED
TO A MAN UNITED
The fan-tastic togetherness of Omagh town
Football correspondent Steven Beacom on the night the world's most famous club - and their recently-acquired trophies - made it to the heart of County Tyrone.
MANCHESTER United. The very name strikes emotion into the heart. But love them or hate them, you have just got to admire them for what they did for the people of Omagh last night.
Like Chelsea a week ago, they came to St Julian's Road and played a game of football to raise money for the Omagh Bomb Appeal Fund.
They also raised many a smile and provided much joy to an area which has known enough sorrow.
If Chelsea's visit was hard to take in, some of what occurred last night would not have been in the wildest of dreams.
It was well-known that United were bringing over the League Championship trophy, FA Cup and European Cup but for those in attendance, to see them in the flesh as it were, was an extraordinary experience.
The European Cup is such an impressive sight. It's gigantic and gleams like nothing else in sport.
No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson wanted it so much. The biggest and best football grounds in the world have witnessed laps of honour with that awesome piece of silverware.
"Now it was the turn of St Julian's Road and the packed 7,000 crowd inside were enjoying every second of it.
Such was the dramatic effect of the never-ending flashes from cameras in the darkening sky that one could have been forgiven for thinking the eclipse had come early. One natural phenomenon that most certainly hit the ground was a hurricane.
Yes good old cue maestro Alex Higgins, a huge United supporter, was there to give Ferguson an his players a hug as they left the pitch, just before 10.00pm.
Those players included Roy Keane, another controversial Irishman, who was making his first appearance for United since limping off at Wembley in May during the FA Cup Final victory over Newcastle.
Keane was exactly that and as competitive as ever. In the first half he complained bitterly to the referee after not being awarded a corner.
Some may ask why he bothered in a friendly but it is that desire and attitude that has put him were he is today - at the very top.
The Old Trafford skipper may be demanding a massive rise in wages to stay at the club but he remains such a hero to the United faithful, none more so than in Omagh going by the reception he received every time he was anywhere near the ball.
Inside St Julian's and even those sitting on the roofs of the houses overlooking the ground, the word Keane was very much to the fore on the back of the thousands of United shirts.
Beckham, Giggs and Stam were also popular labels but while those names did not make the trip, there was still enough star players on show - particularly when you consider United's Premiership challenge starts on Sunday.
Cole, Denis Irwin, Gary Neville and David May plus a collection of Fergie's latest fledglings all hoping to make that big breakthrough.
One such is Luke Chadwick seen as Old Trafford's next wonderboy. It was he who set up the first goal for seconds.
There then followed a steady flow as Cole deflected in Irwin's shot before defender Michael Clegg headed home number three.
The best of the evening arrived on 38 minutes when Sheringham's neat header capitalised on Cole's terrific Cole and Clegg added one apiece before the break with a Mark Nixon own-goal and a brace from Sheringham to finish, prompting a few to sing-"Oh, Teddy Teddy, You went to St Julian's Road and you scored four goals."
Omagh themselves desperately tried to find the net but like Chelsea it was not meant to be.
That's 17 goals conceded and none scored in their last two games but then again the opposition hasn't been too bad has it?
The most important goal for Omagh however, has been achieved. Thousands of pounds have been raised and thousands of people have had an enjoyable time. Liverpool will continue the theme in October.
For now though, Omagh can reflect on the night the famous Manchester United came to town. It truly was a special evening and those there will never forget it.
The fan-tastic togetherness of Omagh town
Football correspondent Steven Beacom on the night the world's most famous club - and their recently-acquired trophies - made it to the heart of County Tyrone.
MANCHESTER United. The very name strikes emotion into the heart. But love them or hate them, you have just got to admire them for what they did for the people of Omagh last night.
Like Chelsea a week ago, they came to St Julian's Road and played a game of football to raise money for the Omagh Bomb Appeal Fund.
They also raised many a smile and provided much joy to an area which has known enough sorrow.
If Chelsea's visit was hard to take in, some of what occurred last night would not have been in the wildest of dreams.
It was well-known that United were bringing over the League Championship trophy, FA Cup and European Cup but for those in attendance, to see them in the flesh as it were, was an extraordinary experience.
The European Cup is such an impressive sight. It's gigantic and gleams like nothing else in sport.
No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson wanted it so much. The biggest and best football grounds in the world have witnessed laps of honour with that awesome piece of silverware.
"Now it was the turn of St Julian's Road and the packed 7,000 crowd inside were enjoying every second of it.
Such was the dramatic effect of the never-ending flashes from cameras in the darkening sky that one could have been forgiven for thinking the eclipse had come early. One natural phenomenon that most certainly hit the ground was a hurricane.
Yes good old cue maestro Alex Higgins, a huge United supporter, was there to give Ferguson an his players a hug as they left the pitch, just before 10.00pm.
Those players included Roy Keane, another controversial Irishman, who was making his first appearance for United since limping off at Wembley in May during the FA Cup Final victory over Newcastle.
Keane was exactly that and as competitive as ever. In the first half he complained bitterly to the referee after not being awarded a corner.
Some may ask why he bothered in a friendly but it is that desire and attitude that has put him were he is today - at the very top.
The Old Trafford skipper may be demanding a massive rise in wages to stay at the club but he remains such a hero to the United faithful, none more so than in Omagh going by the reception he received every time he was anywhere near the ball.
Inside St Julian's and even those sitting on the roofs of the houses overlooking the ground, the word Keane was very much to the fore on the back of the thousands of United shirts.
Beckham, Giggs and Stam were also popular labels but while those names did not make the trip, there was still enough star players on show - particularly when you consider United's Premiership challenge starts on Sunday.
Cole, Denis Irwin, Gary Neville and David May plus a collection of Fergie's latest fledglings all hoping to make that big breakthrough.
One such is Luke Chadwick seen as Old Trafford's next wonderboy. It was he who set up the first goal for seconds.
There then followed a steady flow as Cole deflected in Irwin's shot before defender Michael Clegg headed home number three.
The best of the evening arrived on 38 minutes when Sheringham's neat header capitalised on Cole's terrific Cole and Clegg added one apiece before the break with a Mark Nixon own-goal and a brace from Sheringham to finish, prompting a few to sing-"Oh, Teddy Teddy, You went to St Julian's Road and you scored four goals."
Omagh themselves desperately tried to find the net but like Chelsea it was not meant to be.
That's 17 goals conceded and none scored in their last two games but then again the opposition hasn't been too bad has it?
The most important goal for Omagh however, has been achieved. Thousands of pounds have been raised and thousands of people have had an enjoyable time. Liverpool will continue the theme in October.
For now though, Omagh can reflect on the night the famous Manchester United came to town. It truly was a special evening and those there will never forget it.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0721
Published Date: 04-Aug-99
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