SHEER DELIGHT FOR THOUSANDS AS UNITED TURN ON THE STYLE
Sheer delight for thousands as United turn on the style
AFTER multi-national Chelsea, it was a more sedate British Isles based Manchester United side that Sir Alex Ferguson fielded against Omagh Town at St. Julian's Road on Tuesday evening, in the second of the Omagh Fund challenge games.
But there was nothing low key about the quality of the football this home-grown bunch served up as the local side was whipped 9-0, the first goal coming from the popular Teddy Sheringham in only 27 seconds.
It was a marvellous occasion, a night to remember, and it is extremely doubtful if it could have been bettered in any respect. Omagh Town and their manager, Roy McCreadie, deserve the eternal gratitude of football fans throughout the district and further afield.
Omagh was buzzing throughout the day, with hawkers on the streets from mid morning selling United strips and souvenirs, and local people with an added inch to their step, as the town centre somehow took on a new lease of life.
If it took Luca Vialli's Chelsea side all of half-an-hour to pierce McCreadie's well organised Town, there were no such difficulties for the men from Old Trafford. After Sheringham had opened the scoring, turning in Luke Chadwick's low cross from the left, it rained goals.
Five minutes later Andy Cole stuck out a foot to re-direct Denis Irwin's mishit shot, and it was two. By half time the Red Devils were a six-hit.
Every vantage point was claimed long before the kick-off, which was delayed until almost 7.45pm, but not one of the 7,000 crowd minded the wait, nor the fact that soccer's latest Knight of the Realm put out just six of last year's first team squad.
Irwin was at his scintillating best raiding down the left flank, Sheringham and Cole a lethal partnership up front, and David May and Gary Neville outstanding at the heart of the defence. And then there was Roy Keane.
Playing his first game since the FA Cup Final win over Newcastle United, the United skipper was the focus of everything his side did. Finding space on the cramped St. Julian's Road pitch was never a problem, and his vision and passing were from a different planet.
For his manager his strength in the tackle was solid after that much publicised ankle injury. The only thing missing was the goal his many admirers craved.
Scoring, however, was not the frailty of Sheringham. He hit four, a flashing header six minutes from the break giving United a 4-0 lead after raiding fullback, Michael Clegg, had stooped to head the third from the dashing Jonathan Greening's teasing cross (27).
That Sheringham strike was the first of three goals in a five-minute purple patch. Keane's right wing flag kick was headed on by Clegg for Cole to head a simple goal on 43 minutes, and then Clegg cracked in the sixth off the base of an upright on the stroke of half-time.
United resumed after the interval with Belfast boy, David Healy replacing Cole, and Waterford's John O'Shea on for May, and, finally, in the words of manager, Roy McCreadie, Omagh Town "got to the pace of the game".
"We never played in the first half, but 1 am proud of the way the boys played after the interval,"said the Town chief later.
The unfortunate Mark Nixon put through his own goal eight minutes into the new half as Chadwick delivered another low cross, but it was not until 18 minutes from time that Sheringham swooped to pick up the pieces and make it eight.
Drive
He pounced as Keane's fierce drive was beaten away by substitute keeper, Eamon Gallagher, and then converted Alex Notman's good work (84) to complete the scoring.
It could have been more. Gallagher pulled off two breathtaking stops, to deny Greening on the hour, and Healy six minutes later, while Sheringham stroked a couple of gilt edged chances the wrong side of an upright, and Cole had gone agonisingly close with a tantalising chip in the first quarter.
At the other end Town were shot shy. A number of promising moves came to nothing either through poor final balls, or fear when looking into the whites of Nicky Culkin's eyes.
Michael McHugh forced a splendid save from Culkin at the expense of a fruitless corner early in the second period, and a tame Mark Donnelly header apart, that was that.
But it was all about the occasion, which, said McCreadie "even surpassed my wildest dreams", and which for Sir Alex was "a proud moment for Manchester United".
Speaking at the post match reception in the Silverbirch Hotel, the United supremo paid tribute to tragically blinded bomb victim, Claire Gallagher, who played the piano at the opening of the gala function, and who was presented with a signed David Beckham shirt.
"Your determined spirit," he told her, "and what you have come through, is the real hope for peace in Ireland in my lifetime."
Sir Alex also made presentations to Omagh District Council chairman, Mr. Allan Rainey, and Omagh Town FC chairman, Mr. Norman Hunter.
Mr. Rainey, told United: "You have given us an inspiration to go on. This has been a milestone within the council area and the town of Omagh, an evening we have cherished and will remember."
Mr. Malcolm Brodie, the evening's guest speaker, said Sir Alex was the greatest United manager of all time, and he revealed that triple winner's mobile telephone rang with 'Scotland the Brave'.
But he concluded by praising Omagh Town FC, saying the club's decision to invite United, Chelsea and Liverpool to St. Julian's Road to boost the Omagh Fund had been "imaginative".
"The three games have been a great stimulus, and 1 hope they will assist Omagh Town gain promotion at the first attempt, and keep the club at the forefront of Northern Ireland domestic football," added Mr. Brodie.
Catchphrase comedian, Roy Walker, who entertained the 250 crowd in his own inimitable style with stories of 'Chewie', said: "It has been a memorable day, and a privilege for me to be here. I hope the legend of Manchester United will have eased your problems somewhat today."
Warmth
Reflecting on his day in Omagh, Sir Alex Ferguson, said: "The warmth of the people and the place was tangible. It was satisfying for us to be part of the occasion and to get Gary Neville and Roy Keane back into play.
"The great thing about tonight was the number of kids who were here, probably seeing United players live for the first time. It was fantastic, and it is really great what this small town has done. For us to have taken part in something like tonight's match is a proud moment."
And United's 1968 European Cup winner, Paddy Crerand, added: "Sir Alex is a great fellow when it comes to something like this. When people are hurt or killed in incidents such as the Omagh bomb, there is no one more sympathetic than sportsmen they're always willing lo lend a hand."
Mr. Adam Ingram, the Northern Ireland security Minister, said: "It is a great credit to Omagh Town FC that they have been able to attract three big English clubs to the town. We have seen exhibition football, but we've always to remember why this match took place the tragedy of last year.
"This match was all about trying to help the healing, to help this community to look forward to a better future, although they can never forget the very tragic past. I've enjoyed the game tonight, and our thanks must go to Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson and Omagh Town for what they are attempting to do for the local community."
An exhausted Roy McCreadie, simply added: "Everyone came out to enjoy themselves, and they did."
Teams: Omagh Town Callaghan (Gallagher 55), Boyle, Kavanagh, Gauld, Kelly, Johnston, F. Wilson (Barrett 75), Nixon (Curran 64), Donnelly (capt., Mooney 82), Crilly, McHugh (Doherty 64).
Manchester United - Culkin, Clegg, Irwin, May (O'Shea 46), Neville (Ford 61), Keane, Greening (Notman 61), M. Wilson (Stewart 61), Cole (Healy 46), Sheringham, Chadwick (Wellands 61); sub. not used, Curtis.
Referee: Mr. George McCay (Strabane).
On Saturday afternoon in Co. Londonderry, goals from John Barrett and Barry Curran, secured a 2-2 draw for Town with juniors, Draperstown Celtic. Barrett opened the scoring, but later missed a penalty, while Curran restored the lead after the home side's initial equaliser.
AFTER multi-national Chelsea, it was a more sedate British Isles based Manchester United side that Sir Alex Ferguson fielded against Omagh Town at St. Julian's Road on Tuesday evening, in the second of the Omagh Fund challenge games.
But there was nothing low key about the quality of the football this home-grown bunch served up as the local side was whipped 9-0, the first goal coming from the popular Teddy Sheringham in only 27 seconds.
It was a marvellous occasion, a night to remember, and it is extremely doubtful if it could have been bettered in any respect. Omagh Town and their manager, Roy McCreadie, deserve the eternal gratitude of football fans throughout the district and further afield.
Omagh was buzzing throughout the day, with hawkers on the streets from mid morning selling United strips and souvenirs, and local people with an added inch to their step, as the town centre somehow took on a new lease of life.
If it took Luca Vialli's Chelsea side all of half-an-hour to pierce McCreadie's well organised Town, there were no such difficulties for the men from Old Trafford. After Sheringham had opened the scoring, turning in Luke Chadwick's low cross from the left, it rained goals.
Five minutes later Andy Cole stuck out a foot to re-direct Denis Irwin's mishit shot, and it was two. By half time the Red Devils were a six-hit.
Every vantage point was claimed long before the kick-off, which was delayed until almost 7.45pm, but not one of the 7,000 crowd minded the wait, nor the fact that soccer's latest Knight of the Realm put out just six of last year's first team squad.
Irwin was at his scintillating best raiding down the left flank, Sheringham and Cole a lethal partnership up front, and David May and Gary Neville outstanding at the heart of the defence. And then there was Roy Keane.
Playing his first game since the FA Cup Final win over Newcastle United, the United skipper was the focus of everything his side did. Finding space on the cramped St. Julian's Road pitch was never a problem, and his vision and passing were from a different planet.
For his manager his strength in the tackle was solid after that much publicised ankle injury. The only thing missing was the goal his many admirers craved.
Scoring, however, was not the frailty of Sheringham. He hit four, a flashing header six minutes from the break giving United a 4-0 lead after raiding fullback, Michael Clegg, had stooped to head the third from the dashing Jonathan Greening's teasing cross (27).
That Sheringham strike was the first of three goals in a five-minute purple patch. Keane's right wing flag kick was headed on by Clegg for Cole to head a simple goal on 43 minutes, and then Clegg cracked in the sixth off the base of an upright on the stroke of half-time.
United resumed after the interval with Belfast boy, David Healy replacing Cole, and Waterford's John O'Shea on for May, and, finally, in the words of manager, Roy McCreadie, Omagh Town "got to the pace of the game".
"We never played in the first half, but 1 am proud of the way the boys played after the interval,"said the Town chief later.
The unfortunate Mark Nixon put through his own goal eight minutes into the new half as Chadwick delivered another low cross, but it was not until 18 minutes from time that Sheringham swooped to pick up the pieces and make it eight.
Drive
He pounced as Keane's fierce drive was beaten away by substitute keeper, Eamon Gallagher, and then converted Alex Notman's good work (84) to complete the scoring.
It could have been more. Gallagher pulled off two breathtaking stops, to deny Greening on the hour, and Healy six minutes later, while Sheringham stroked a couple of gilt edged chances the wrong side of an upright, and Cole had gone agonisingly close with a tantalising chip in the first quarter.
At the other end Town were shot shy. A number of promising moves came to nothing either through poor final balls, or fear when looking into the whites of Nicky Culkin's eyes.
Michael McHugh forced a splendid save from Culkin at the expense of a fruitless corner early in the second period, and a tame Mark Donnelly header apart, that was that.
But it was all about the occasion, which, said McCreadie "even surpassed my wildest dreams", and which for Sir Alex was "a proud moment for Manchester United".
Speaking at the post match reception in the Silverbirch Hotel, the United supremo paid tribute to tragically blinded bomb victim, Claire Gallagher, who played the piano at the opening of the gala function, and who was presented with a signed David Beckham shirt.
"Your determined spirit," he told her, "and what you have come through, is the real hope for peace in Ireland in my lifetime."
Sir Alex also made presentations to Omagh District Council chairman, Mr. Allan Rainey, and Omagh Town FC chairman, Mr. Norman Hunter.
Mr. Rainey, told United: "You have given us an inspiration to go on. This has been a milestone within the council area and the town of Omagh, an evening we have cherished and will remember."
Mr. Malcolm Brodie, the evening's guest speaker, said Sir Alex was the greatest United manager of all time, and he revealed that triple winner's mobile telephone rang with 'Scotland the Brave'.
But he concluded by praising Omagh Town FC, saying the club's decision to invite United, Chelsea and Liverpool to St. Julian's Road to boost the Omagh Fund had been "imaginative".
"The three games have been a great stimulus, and 1 hope they will assist Omagh Town gain promotion at the first attempt, and keep the club at the forefront of Northern Ireland domestic football," added Mr. Brodie.
Catchphrase comedian, Roy Walker, who entertained the 250 crowd in his own inimitable style with stories of 'Chewie', said: "It has been a memorable day, and a privilege for me to be here. I hope the legend of Manchester United will have eased your problems somewhat today."
Warmth
Reflecting on his day in Omagh, Sir Alex Ferguson, said: "The warmth of the people and the place was tangible. It was satisfying for us to be part of the occasion and to get Gary Neville and Roy Keane back into play.
"The great thing about tonight was the number of kids who were here, probably seeing United players live for the first time. It was fantastic, and it is really great what this small town has done. For us to have taken part in something like tonight's match is a proud moment."
And United's 1968 European Cup winner, Paddy Crerand, added: "Sir Alex is a great fellow when it comes to something like this. When people are hurt or killed in incidents such as the Omagh bomb, there is no one more sympathetic than sportsmen they're always willing lo lend a hand."
Mr. Adam Ingram, the Northern Ireland security Minister, said: "It is a great credit to Omagh Town FC that they have been able to attract three big English clubs to the town. We have seen exhibition football, but we've always to remember why this match took place the tragedy of last year.
"This match was all about trying to help the healing, to help this community to look forward to a better future, although they can never forget the very tragic past. I've enjoyed the game tonight, and our thanks must go to Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson and Omagh Town for what they are attempting to do for the local community."
An exhausted Roy McCreadie, simply added: "Everyone came out to enjoy themselves, and they did."
Teams: Omagh Town Callaghan (Gallagher 55), Boyle, Kavanagh, Gauld, Kelly, Johnston, F. Wilson (Barrett 75), Nixon (Curran 64), Donnelly (capt., Mooney 82), Crilly, McHugh (Doherty 64).
Manchester United - Culkin, Clegg, Irwin, May (O'Shea 46), Neville (Ford 61), Keane, Greening (Notman 61), M. Wilson (Stewart 61), Cole (Healy 46), Sheringham, Chadwick (Wellands 61); sub. not used, Curtis.
Referee: Mr. George McCay (Strabane).
On Saturday afternoon in Co. Londonderry, goals from John Barrett and Barry Curran, secured a 2-2 draw for Town with juniors, Draperstown Celtic. Barrett opened the scoring, but later missed a penalty, while Curran restored the lead after the home side's initial equaliser.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1384
Published Date: 05-Aug-99
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