OMAGH'S DAY OF JOY AS UNITED COME OUT TO PLAY
Omagh's day of joy as United come out to play
By ROSA PRINCE
THOUSANDS MOB HEROES
MANCHESTER United scored a heart-trick yesterday as Omagh cheered the world's most famous football team.
Smiling faces and red banners greeted the treble winners as they arrived for the memorial game.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and top players including Andy Cole. Teddy Sheringham and Denis Irwin chatted to fans and signed autographs before the match.
The only glum expressions were those of teenage girls disappointed that David Beckham was missing.
Beckham had stayed behind to prepare for the start of the Premiership campaign this weekend.
Omagh Town captain Mark Donnelly, 32, said leading his boys out against the giants of the Premiership would be his career highlight.
He said: "'I want us to perform well and I hope the game goes OK. It's brilliant to play Man U after them winning the treble. "And it's a thrill and a boost for the town too - at a time when we need it with the anniversary of the bomb coming up."
Before the game, United's three trophies were paraded around the Omagh Town ground to the cheers of the 7,000 crowd.
Afterwards players from both teams attended a dinner to raise money for the Omagh Appeal.
Sir Alex said: "We are delighted to be providing the opposition for this fundraising event."
The 29 people who lost their lives on August 15, last year, were in everyone's thoughts.
Colin Campbell, 24, from Magheramason. said: "The atmosphere was good, but it was very sad given the reason for the game."
Tony Colton, 33, from Beragh, where five of the victims lived, said he wanted his 10-year-old son Shane to witness such an important event.
By ROSA PRINCE
THOUSANDS MOB HEROES
MANCHESTER United scored a heart-trick yesterday as Omagh cheered the world's most famous football team.
Smiling faces and red banners greeted the treble winners as they arrived for the memorial game.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and top players including Andy Cole. Teddy Sheringham and Denis Irwin chatted to fans and signed autographs before the match.
The only glum expressions were those of teenage girls disappointed that David Beckham was missing.
Beckham had stayed behind to prepare for the start of the Premiership campaign this weekend.
Omagh Town captain Mark Donnelly, 32, said leading his boys out against the giants of the Premiership would be his career highlight.
He said: "'I want us to perform well and I hope the game goes OK. It's brilliant to play Man U after them winning the treble. "And it's a thrill and a boost for the town too - at a time when we need it with the anniversary of the bomb coming up."
Before the game, United's three trophies were paraded around the Omagh Town ground to the cheers of the 7,000 crowd.
Afterwards players from both teams attended a dinner to raise money for the Omagh Appeal.
Sir Alex said: "We are delighted to be providing the opposition for this fundraising event."
The 29 people who lost their lives on August 15, last year, were in everyone's thoughts.
Colin Campbell, 24, from Magheramason. said: "The atmosphere was good, but it was very sad given the reason for the game."
Tony Colton, 33, from Beragh, where five of the victims lived, said he wanted his 10-year-old son Shane to witness such an important event.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/091
Published Date: 04-Aug-99
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