I'M SO KEANE TO GET BACK IN ACTION
I'm so Keane to get back in action
Skipper set for the big kick-off
FOOTBALL
Steven Beacom
ROY Keane is expected to lead out Manchester Utd when their Premiership campaign starts at Everton on Sunday - after safely making it through his comeback game in Omagh last night.
From St Julian's Road to Goodison Park. It's not the most common route but one that United's skipper will be more than happy to take.
The Irish midfielder, so crucial to the Old Trafford club, played the full 90 minutes against Omagh Town and looked as determined as ever, making those trademark runs and combative tackles.
The friendly, in aid of the Omagh Bomb Appeal Fund, was Keane's first outing since the FA Cup final victory over Newcastle in May when he limped off with an ankle injury after only a few minutes.
He has yet to sign a new contract with United but after coming through the Omagh experience Keane feels he is ready for the Premiership kick-off and a tilt at another successful season.
"It was good for me to finally make my comeback and I was only too happy to make it in Omagh," said Keane today.
"We have a match against Wigan tonight and I may feature in that but obviously the priority is Everton on Sunday.
"I felt fine in the Omagh game and hopefully I will be in the squad for Goodison.
"Winning the Treble was an incredible achievement and now the challenge for us is to be up there again," added Keane, who also indicated there was nothing new to report regarding that contract.
Keane was just one of the many star attractions last night as United paraded the three trophies won last season and cantered to a 9-0 victory - going one better than Chelsea the previous week.
Teddy Sheringham scored four with Andy Cole and Michael Clegg grabbing two apiece. At least an Omagh man scored - although unfortunately for Mark Nixon it was at the wrong end.
Around 7,000 packed inside the ground to enjoy an occasion that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was proud to be part of.
"It's a privilege for us to be here in Omagh helping to raise money for the fund," said Ferguson.
"We have enjoyed ourselves and by the look on the faces of the fans, they have enjoyed it too.
"It's given many of them a chance to see United for the first time and will make our great affinity with the people of Ireland even stronger".
Ferguson's Omagh Town counterpart, Roy McCreadie, was relieved that everything went according to plan.
But after taking on Premiership giants, Chelsea and United recently, he now has to prepare himself and his team for their own League opener against Carrick Rangers on August 14.
"It's been an incredible few weeks. I knew United coming over would be something special but the occasion even surpassed by wildest dreams," said McCreadie. "Having the likes of Keane, Sheringham and Cole in this ground was unbelieveable and the lap of honour with the trophies at the end was the icing on the cake.
"For us now though it's back to business. We have to prepare for the game with Carrick.
"It's quite a turnaround but we'll approach it in a positive manner. Hopefully some of Chelsea and United's class will have rubbed off on my players."
Skipper set for the big kick-off
FOOTBALL
Steven Beacom
ROY Keane is expected to lead out Manchester Utd when their Premiership campaign starts at Everton on Sunday - after safely making it through his comeback game in Omagh last night.
From St Julian's Road to Goodison Park. It's not the most common route but one that United's skipper will be more than happy to take.
The Irish midfielder, so crucial to the Old Trafford club, played the full 90 minutes against Omagh Town and looked as determined as ever, making those trademark runs and combative tackles.
The friendly, in aid of the Omagh Bomb Appeal Fund, was Keane's first outing since the FA Cup final victory over Newcastle in May when he limped off with an ankle injury after only a few minutes.
He has yet to sign a new contract with United but after coming through the Omagh experience Keane feels he is ready for the Premiership kick-off and a tilt at another successful season.
"It was good for me to finally make my comeback and I was only too happy to make it in Omagh," said Keane today.
"We have a match against Wigan tonight and I may feature in that but obviously the priority is Everton on Sunday.
"I felt fine in the Omagh game and hopefully I will be in the squad for Goodison.
"Winning the Treble was an incredible achievement and now the challenge for us is to be up there again," added Keane, who also indicated there was nothing new to report regarding that contract.
Keane was just one of the many star attractions last night as United paraded the three trophies won last season and cantered to a 9-0 victory - going one better than Chelsea the previous week.
Teddy Sheringham scored four with Andy Cole and Michael Clegg grabbing two apiece. At least an Omagh man scored - although unfortunately for Mark Nixon it was at the wrong end.
Around 7,000 packed inside the ground to enjoy an occasion that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was proud to be part of.
"It's a privilege for us to be here in Omagh helping to raise money for the fund," said Ferguson.
"We have enjoyed ourselves and by the look on the faces of the fans, they have enjoyed it too.
"It's given many of them a chance to see United for the first time and will make our great affinity with the people of Ireland even stronger".
Ferguson's Omagh Town counterpart, Roy McCreadie, was relieved that everything went according to plan.
But after taking on Premiership giants, Chelsea and United recently, he now has to prepare himself and his team for their own League opener against Carrick Rangers on August 14.
"It's been an incredible few weeks. I knew United coming over would be something special but the occasion even surpassed by wildest dreams," said McCreadie. "Having the likes of Keane, Sheringham and Cole in this ground was unbelieveable and the lap of honour with the trophies at the end was the icing on the cake.
"For us now though it's back to business. We have to prepare for the game with Carrick.
"It's quite a turnaround but we'll approach it in a positive manner. Hopefully some of Chelsea and United's class will have rubbed off on my players."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0722
Published Date: 04-Aug-99
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