SECTARIAN CHANTS MAR OMAGH FRIENDLY
Sectarian chants mar Omagh friendly
By Steven McCaffery and Paul McKillion
AN Omagh Ulster Unionist councillor has insisted sectarian singing at a charity match for the town's bomb victims should not detract from the "immaculate efforts" of the players and the event's organisers.
Reuben McKelvey said he was disappointed by reports of sectarian singing at the charity match which saw Northern Ireland take on the Republic at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.
The event had been organised in aid of the Omagh Appeal Fund, which was set up in support of the families of those killed and injured in the August bomb attack.
Despite a disappointing turnout of just 12,100 for the game - one of the lowest ever recorded for an international game in the ground -the charity football match still raised �200,000 for the Omagh Appeal Fund.
It was reported, however, that Northern Ireland supporters sang The Sash when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern arrived in the stadium on Saturday.
Later fans backing the Republic were said by reporters in the stadium to have shouted IRA slogans.
The mood was further soured in the game's second half when Northern fans sang anti-Catholic songs.
But last night Mr McKelvey said the sectarian minority should not be allowed to overshadow the event.
"The players on the field and those who organised the event behaved immaculately," he said.
"Both the associations deserve praise for organising the fundraising event.
"While I am disappointed by the display of sectarianism, if we let it overshadow the hard work and immaculate efforts of others, then the minority have won.
"We cannot allow that to happen."
The fact that the game came on the same day as the Celtic versus Rangers clash in the Scottish Cup Final was believed to have contributed to the disappointing crowd, but the boost to the appeal was raised from the �20-a-head ticket sales and the donations of match fees by the players.
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie McMenemy said he was delighted with his side's 1-0 victory.
He said it as a huge bonus to beat the Republic, who are still in line to qualify for the European Championships next year.
By Steven McCaffery and Paul McKillion
AN Omagh Ulster Unionist councillor has insisted sectarian singing at a charity match for the town's bomb victims should not detract from the "immaculate efforts" of the players and the event's organisers.
Reuben McKelvey said he was disappointed by reports of sectarian singing at the charity match which saw Northern Ireland take on the Republic at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.
The event had been organised in aid of the Omagh Appeal Fund, which was set up in support of the families of those killed and injured in the August bomb attack.
Despite a disappointing turnout of just 12,100 for the game - one of the lowest ever recorded for an international game in the ground -the charity football match still raised �200,000 for the Omagh Appeal Fund.
It was reported, however, that Northern Ireland supporters sang The Sash when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern arrived in the stadium on Saturday.
Later fans backing the Republic were said by reporters in the stadium to have shouted IRA slogans.
The mood was further soured in the game's second half when Northern fans sang anti-Catholic songs.
But last night Mr McKelvey said the sectarian minority should not be allowed to overshadow the event.
"The players on the field and those who organised the event behaved immaculately," he said.
"Both the associations deserve praise for organising the fundraising event.
"While I am disappointed by the display of sectarianism, if we let it overshadow the hard work and immaculate efforts of others, then the minority have won.
"We cannot allow that to happen."
The fact that the game came on the same day as the Celtic versus Rangers clash in the Scottish Cup Final was believed to have contributed to the disappointing crowd, but the boost to the appeal was raised from the �20-a-head ticket sales and the donations of match fees by the players.
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie McMenemy said he was delighted with his side's 1-0 victory.
He said it as a huge bonus to beat the Republic, who are still in line to qualify for the European Championships next year.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0283
Published Date: 31-May-99
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