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CORK-BASED RUGBY CLUB BACKS OMAGH FUND

MIDLETON Rugby Club has wished the people of Omagh a peaceful future.
The east Cork club's vice-president, Brendan McCarthy presented a cheque for £500 to the Omagh Memorial Fund during a pre-match reception before Midleton and the Academicals met in an All Ireland League division four match on Saturday.
He said everyone was outraged at what had happened in the Tyrone town and he extended sympathy to those who had lost relatives and extended get well wishes the injured.
Jack Reid, the Omagh president, accepted the cheque on behalf of the Fund and thanked the Munster club for their generosity.
"We have received many letters and telephone calls from rugby clubs all over Ireland in the wake of the bombing. The support the rugby family has given us has been tremendous," he said.
During the pre-match reception, the Midleton official said Omagh and his club had come through the play-off series, and no one would ever forget the double meeting in 1997.
"Our clubs are very similar and there are several characteristics which unite them. Those are strength, courage, determination and team work. That is why both have been successful in junior rugby and also why we will do well in the senior ranks, " he said.
Saturday's AIB match was sponsored by the Northern Bank, Omagh, who were represented by Nigel Paxton.
Midleton flew into Londonderry and made their way to Omagh by bus, and left early to catch a 7pm flight back to Cork that evening.