FOOTBALL TAKES A BACK SEAT
FOOTBALL TAKES A BACK SEAT...
GLENTORAN 2 OMAGH TOWN 0
BY JOHN McCREEDY
Omagh tragedy puts it all in focus
It was the opening day of the Premier league season at the Oval - but not as we know it.
This game was over as a spectacle at half-time for two reasons.
The Glens shot into a 2-0 lead before the quarter of an hour mark, thanks to a 12th minute penalty by Philip Mitchell and some classy finishing fron Rory Hamill.
Then news from Omagh filtered through - and the game fizzled out.
Glentoran were looking jaded in any case and their manager Roy Coyle admitted: We were lethargic and sluggish but it's hardly surprising.
"We came off the back of a European game on Thursday night and you just don't recover from that experience instantly."
The Glens, defeated 1-0 by Israeli side Maccabi, began like an express train but finished at snail pace.
Coyle added: "We had neither zip nor pace, but we will rest the lads and hopefully pick ourselves up.
"I'm pleased with the three points, but there is still a lot of work to be done in training before we get it right."
For the record Mark Donnelly fouled David Rainey, in for the suspended Stuart Elliott, after 12 minutes inside the box.
Philip Mitchell scored with the resulting penalty sending Damien Bradley the wrong way.
Just two minutes later Rory Hamill pounced on a through ball after Pete Batey and Mitchell had combined, Hamill rattling the shot past Bradley from 12 yards.
The Glens created a hatful of chances in the second half, didn't take them, but never looked like getting caught out on the break.
Five players were booked - three from Omagh - but it was never a dirty match.
Omagh manager Roy McCreadie, who for obvious reasons had his mind on other things, commented: "I was pleased with our commitment. We fought back and created chances but didn't take them.
"I've said along that we are lightweight and will struggle this year but I'm not unhappy with the performance."
GLENTORAN: Russell 7, Nixon 8, Kennedy 7, Walker 7, Devine 7, Leeman 6, Mitchell 8, Hamill 8, McCallan 7, Batey 7, Rainey 8.
Subs: Kirk 7 (for Leeman), Quigley 7 (for Batey), Ferguson (not used)
OMAGH: Bradley 8, Toland 7, Gray 7, Moore 6, Donnelly 6, Wilson 6, Doherty 6, Gallagher 6, Mclntyre 6, Crilly 6, Walker 7.
Subs: Elliott 6 (for Moore), Melly, Gallagher (both not used). REFEREE: David Malcolm (Bangor) 8
GLENTORAN 2 OMAGH TOWN 0
BY JOHN McCREEDY
Omagh tragedy puts it all in focus
It was the opening day of the Premier league season at the Oval - but not as we know it.
This game was over as a spectacle at half-time for two reasons.
The Glens shot into a 2-0 lead before the quarter of an hour mark, thanks to a 12th minute penalty by Philip Mitchell and some classy finishing fron Rory Hamill.
Then news from Omagh filtered through - and the game fizzled out.
Glentoran were looking jaded in any case and their manager Roy Coyle admitted: We were lethargic and sluggish but it's hardly surprising.
"We came off the back of a European game on Thursday night and you just don't recover from that experience instantly."
The Glens, defeated 1-0 by Israeli side Maccabi, began like an express train but finished at snail pace.
Coyle added: "We had neither zip nor pace, but we will rest the lads and hopefully pick ourselves up.
"I'm pleased with the three points, but there is still a lot of work to be done in training before we get it right."
For the record Mark Donnelly fouled David Rainey, in for the suspended Stuart Elliott, after 12 minutes inside the box.
Philip Mitchell scored with the resulting penalty sending Damien Bradley the wrong way.
Just two minutes later Rory Hamill pounced on a through ball after Pete Batey and Mitchell had combined, Hamill rattling the shot past Bradley from 12 yards.
The Glens created a hatful of chances in the second half, didn't take them, but never looked like getting caught out on the break.
Five players were booked - three from Omagh - but it was never a dirty match.
Omagh manager Roy McCreadie, who for obvious reasons had his mind on other things, commented: "I was pleased with our commitment. We fought back and created chances but didn't take them.
"I've said along that we are lightweight and will struggle this year but I'm not unhappy with the performance."
GLENTORAN: Russell 7, Nixon 8, Kennedy 7, Walker 7, Devine 7, Leeman 6, Mitchell 8, Hamill 8, McCallan 7, Batey 7, Rainey 8.
Subs: Kirk 7 (for Leeman), Quigley 7 (for Batey), Ferguson (not used)
OMAGH: Bradley 8, Toland 7, Gray 7, Moore 6, Donnelly 6, Wilson 6, Doherty 6, Gallagher 6, Mclntyre 6, Crilly 6, Walker 7.
Subs: Elliott 6 (for Moore), Melly, Gallagher (both not used). REFEREE: David Malcolm (Bangor) 8
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/020
Published Date: 16-Aug-98
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