FERGIE'S LADS GO TO TOWN
Fergie's lads go to Town!
Omagh Town 0 Manchester United 9 : By Denis O'Hara
FOUR goal Teddy Sheringham fired a sensational opener in last night's hugely enjoyable charity match, in aid of the Omagh Fund, at St Julian's Road. Once again Omagh Town were on the receiving end of a goal feast, but the part-time players really didn't mind.
Last week Omagh were thrashed 8-0 by United's Premiership rivals Chelsea - four of them coming from Tore Andre Flo. And last night Sheringham repeated the feat, much to the delight of the huge United following.
Sheringham scored in 27 seconds and it was no surprise the Red Devils' comeback kid Roy Keane was behind the lightning swift strike. With almost telepathic understanding in a link with fellow Republic international Denis Irwin they set up the opener. Irwin found one of United's fringe player Luke Chadwick and the slick left-wing cross was extravagantly side-footed home by Sheringham.
Omagh's goalkeeper Paul Callaghan on making a return to action, looked mesmerised as the floodgates opened and Manchester United lived up to all expectations.
Sheringham had the final say as the triple champions went one better. Perhaps there was a significant message by the Old Trafford heavyweights that they may be hard to shift this season.
Their adoring fans remained long after the final whistle to pay homage to an outstanding team, and especially when the three trophies - the European Cup, the Premiership and the controversial FA Cup - were paraded.
Before kick-off there was one minute's silence to remind everyone in the packed ground the reason for United's first visit to the Co Tyrone venue.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, in a pre-match interview, expressed his sentiment and understanding for the people of Omagh. It was an irony not lost on Sir Alex that the legend that is Manchester United emerged from the ashes of the Munich tragedy.
Arguably the most famous and richest soccer club on the planet, it was a measure of Sir Alex's enthusiasm that the three trophies were brought by special messenger in time for the wonderful end-of-match festivities.
Almost 7,000 red-shirted fans shoehorned into the humble ground and were treated to an extravaganza. United paraded six first team regulars in Irwin, Keane, Gary Neville, David May, Andy Cole and the outstanding Sheringham.
The friendly affair also marked Keane's return, following an ankle injury sustained in the FA Cup final against Newcastle United last May.
To coin a pun, Roy was as keen as mustard. He displayed that fighting competitive spirit and towards the end was bitterly disappointed when failing to get his name on the score sheet.
In the 72nd minute he was deprived of a certain gaol by Omagh's replacement net minder Eamonn Gallagher who produced an outstanding block. Keane created time and space in a quicksilver move with substitute David Healy, a rising United star and one of Northern Ireland's most impressive Under 21 internationals.
Callaghan spectacularly parried Keane's blockbuster. The ball fell kindly and there was Sheringham to head to an empty net. That was United's eighth goal.
But we have to return to the start when Sheringham showed he was in inspired form and ready to go in the opening round of the Premiership. Cole, a huge favourite with the fans, finished off the second goal in the sixth minute. Irwin made the run into the box. His effort was flicked on by Cole and with a touch of a deflection off Omagh defender Steve Johnston.
All the while Keane, showing no ill-effects of that ankle complaint, was the towering figure in midfield. He pulled the strings, was behind almost every move, and despite all the publicity about contractual problems looming ahead, the hard man from Cork appeared to enjoy every moment.
Remarkably, Keane stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. There were reserve team players anxious to improve including Michael Clegg who headed in United's third in the 27th minute.
Jonathan Greening's left-wing corner found stocky Clegg at the back post and the full-back stooped to dip a thundering header past hapless Callaghan.
Brave Omagh tried to make a match of it. They forced a string of corners, but to no reward. They were there as the fall guys on a great occasion and after 39 minutes they had to admire the handiwork of six-footer Sheringham heading home with relative ease following Cole's deep left cross.
Omagh argued with referee George McCay but their offside trap was perfectly smashed by Mark Wilson's through ball to leave Cole in the clear.
Keane set up the fifth for Cole to head in from the six yards line and just on half time Greening combined with the impressive Clegg who made it six up.
By now Omagh looked leaden-legged. United were in no mood to dilly dally. It took Chelsea half-an-hour to break down Omagh's resistance. Man U were in a much firmer mood but took the foot off the pedal in the second session.
Cole and May quit during the interval to be replaced by giant defender John O'Shea and the Belfast lad Healy, who is regarded by Northern Ireland manager Lawrie McMenemy as one of the bright boys for Northern Ireland's international future.
Before Healy could make his mark United's third string goalkeeper Nicky Culkin had to move sharpish to block Michael McHugh from finishing an outstanding pass by veteran John Crilly.
Once again Keane became involved during some Omagh pressure, clearing off his line and then setting up a crisp counter-attack. Mark Wilson's left-wing cross provided the crowning ignomy and a certain amount of heartbreak for Omagh as the ball was turned into his own net by Mark Nixon.
Gallagher replaced goalkeeper Callaghan in the 55th minute and almost immediately made a blinding save from Greening after a slick inside pass by Sheringham.
Then there was a batch of alterations. Ferguson sent on more of his youngsters, Alex Notman, Richard Wellands, Michael Stewart and Ryan Ford in the 61st minute. Reeled ashore were Neville, Chadwick, Wilson and Greening. Omagh also sent on Barry Curran and Aidan Doherty for Nixon and McHugh.
Gallagher continued to shine, saving from the lively Healy but on 72 minutes Sheringham made it eight.
Seven minutes from time he blocked a thundering shot by young Notman. Sadly for Gallagher the ball trickled into the path of unmarked Sheringham who gleefully drilled a right-footer to an empty net.
OMAGH TOWN: Callaghan (Gallagher), Boyle. Kavanagh. Gauld, Kelly. Johnston, Wilson (Barrett), Nixon (Doherty). Donnelly (Mooney), Crilly. McHugh (Curran).
MANCHESTER UTD: Culkin. Clegg, Irwin, May (O'Shea), Neville (Wellands), Keane, Greening (Notman). Wilson (Stewart), Cole (Healy), Sheringham, Chadwick (Ford).
REFEREE: George McCay (Strabane).
Omagh Town 0 Manchester United 9 : By Denis O'Hara
FOUR goal Teddy Sheringham fired a sensational opener in last night's hugely enjoyable charity match, in aid of the Omagh Fund, at St Julian's Road. Once again Omagh Town were on the receiving end of a goal feast, but the part-time players really didn't mind.
Last week Omagh were thrashed 8-0 by United's Premiership rivals Chelsea - four of them coming from Tore Andre Flo. And last night Sheringham repeated the feat, much to the delight of the huge United following.
Sheringham scored in 27 seconds and it was no surprise the Red Devils' comeback kid Roy Keane was behind the lightning swift strike. With almost telepathic understanding in a link with fellow Republic international Denis Irwin they set up the opener. Irwin found one of United's fringe player Luke Chadwick and the slick left-wing cross was extravagantly side-footed home by Sheringham.
Omagh's goalkeeper Paul Callaghan on making a return to action, looked mesmerised as the floodgates opened and Manchester United lived up to all expectations.
Sheringham had the final say as the triple champions went one better. Perhaps there was a significant message by the Old Trafford heavyweights that they may be hard to shift this season.
Their adoring fans remained long after the final whistle to pay homage to an outstanding team, and especially when the three trophies - the European Cup, the Premiership and the controversial FA Cup - were paraded.
Before kick-off there was one minute's silence to remind everyone in the packed ground the reason for United's first visit to the Co Tyrone venue.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, in a pre-match interview, expressed his sentiment and understanding for the people of Omagh. It was an irony not lost on Sir Alex that the legend that is Manchester United emerged from the ashes of the Munich tragedy.
Arguably the most famous and richest soccer club on the planet, it was a measure of Sir Alex's enthusiasm that the three trophies were brought by special messenger in time for the wonderful end-of-match festivities.
Almost 7,000 red-shirted fans shoehorned into the humble ground and were treated to an extravaganza. United paraded six first team regulars in Irwin, Keane, Gary Neville, David May, Andy Cole and the outstanding Sheringham.
The friendly affair also marked Keane's return, following an ankle injury sustained in the FA Cup final against Newcastle United last May.
To coin a pun, Roy was as keen as mustard. He displayed that fighting competitive spirit and towards the end was bitterly disappointed when failing to get his name on the score sheet.
In the 72nd minute he was deprived of a certain gaol by Omagh's replacement net minder Eamonn Gallagher who produced an outstanding block. Keane created time and space in a quicksilver move with substitute David Healy, a rising United star and one of Northern Ireland's most impressive Under 21 internationals.
Callaghan spectacularly parried Keane's blockbuster. The ball fell kindly and there was Sheringham to head to an empty net. That was United's eighth goal.
But we have to return to the start when Sheringham showed he was in inspired form and ready to go in the opening round of the Premiership. Cole, a huge favourite with the fans, finished off the second goal in the sixth minute. Irwin made the run into the box. His effort was flicked on by Cole and with a touch of a deflection off Omagh defender Steve Johnston.
All the while Keane, showing no ill-effects of that ankle complaint, was the towering figure in midfield. He pulled the strings, was behind almost every move, and despite all the publicity about contractual problems looming ahead, the hard man from Cork appeared to enjoy every moment.
Remarkably, Keane stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. There were reserve team players anxious to improve including Michael Clegg who headed in United's third in the 27th minute.
Jonathan Greening's left-wing corner found stocky Clegg at the back post and the full-back stooped to dip a thundering header past hapless Callaghan.
Brave Omagh tried to make a match of it. They forced a string of corners, but to no reward. They were there as the fall guys on a great occasion and after 39 minutes they had to admire the handiwork of six-footer Sheringham heading home with relative ease following Cole's deep left cross.
Omagh argued with referee George McCay but their offside trap was perfectly smashed by Mark Wilson's through ball to leave Cole in the clear.
Keane set up the fifth for Cole to head in from the six yards line and just on half time Greening combined with the impressive Clegg who made it six up.
By now Omagh looked leaden-legged. United were in no mood to dilly dally. It took Chelsea half-an-hour to break down Omagh's resistance. Man U were in a much firmer mood but took the foot off the pedal in the second session.
Cole and May quit during the interval to be replaced by giant defender John O'Shea and the Belfast lad Healy, who is regarded by Northern Ireland manager Lawrie McMenemy as one of the bright boys for Northern Ireland's international future.
Before Healy could make his mark United's third string goalkeeper Nicky Culkin had to move sharpish to block Michael McHugh from finishing an outstanding pass by veteran John Crilly.
Once again Keane became involved during some Omagh pressure, clearing off his line and then setting up a crisp counter-attack. Mark Wilson's left-wing cross provided the crowning ignomy and a certain amount of heartbreak for Omagh as the ball was turned into his own net by Mark Nixon.
Gallagher replaced goalkeeper Callaghan in the 55th minute and almost immediately made a blinding save from Greening after a slick inside pass by Sheringham.
Then there was a batch of alterations. Ferguson sent on more of his youngsters, Alex Notman, Richard Wellands, Michael Stewart and Ryan Ford in the 61st minute. Reeled ashore were Neville, Chadwick, Wilson and Greening. Omagh also sent on Barry Curran and Aidan Doherty for Nixon and McHugh.
Gallagher continued to shine, saving from the lively Healy but on 72 minutes Sheringham made it eight.
Seven minutes from time he blocked a thundering shot by young Notman. Sadly for Gallagher the ball trickled into the path of unmarked Sheringham who gleefully drilled a right-footer to an empty net.
OMAGH TOWN: Callaghan (Gallagher), Boyle. Kavanagh. Gauld, Kelly. Johnston, Wilson (Barrett), Nixon (Doherty). Donnelly (Mooney), Crilly. McHugh (Curran).
MANCHESTER UTD: Culkin. Clegg, Irwin, May (O'Shea), Neville (Wellands), Keane, Greening (Notman). Wilson (Stewart), Cole (Healy), Sheringham, Chadwick (Ford).
REFEREE: George McCay (Strabane).
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/227
Published Date: 04-Aug-99
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