CLAIRE BRINGS MUSIC TO THE EARS
Claire brings music to the ears
By Terry Patterson
TRAGICALLY blinded Omagh bomb victim Claire Gallagher played for her heroes at last night's post match celebrations.
The young student tickled the ivories as 250 people sat down to a Gala evening's entertainment at the town's Silver-birch Hotel.
Claire was the envy of the local schoolgirl brigade as she stole the limelight on a day when this quiet market town was buzzing.
Street traders were in business from mid-morning selling Manchester United souvenirs and there was a swing to every step in the town centre.
And Claire's favourites, the treble-champions, immediately took on the role of good-guys as they ran out to warm up at humble St Julian's Road in white while Roy McCreadie's charges preferred an All-Black haka like warm-up strut.
Master of Ceremonies Charlie Collins played the joker in the pack as he included in the visiting line-up Jesper Blomqvist who was most certainly not in town.
Smartest
But the smartest move prior to kick-off came from a rascally tiny Manchester United fan who evaded the security cordon and burly minders to spring onto the pitch, camera in hand, and prevail upon United skipper Roy Keane to pose for him.,
Watching from the stand as the Mexican wave got underway, orchestrated by Collins, was Mr Adam Ingram, Northern Ireland Minister of Security and Mo Mowlam's Deputy, Catch-phrases' Roy Walker and Omagh District Council Chairman Mr. Allan Rainey, sporting a United baseball cap.
Once again, spectators took to the roofs of nearby houses and one group of supporters claimed a special vantage point as they clambered upon a handily parked - out of service - fire brigade.
After an impeccably observed one-minute silence, the game kicked off ten minutes late, but it was worth the wait as Teddy Sheringham banged in four goals.
By Terry Patterson
TRAGICALLY blinded Omagh bomb victim Claire Gallagher played for her heroes at last night's post match celebrations.
The young student tickled the ivories as 250 people sat down to a Gala evening's entertainment at the town's Silver-birch Hotel.
Claire was the envy of the local schoolgirl brigade as she stole the limelight on a day when this quiet market town was buzzing.
Street traders were in business from mid-morning selling Manchester United souvenirs and there was a swing to every step in the town centre.
And Claire's favourites, the treble-champions, immediately took on the role of good-guys as they ran out to warm up at humble St Julian's Road in white while Roy McCreadie's charges preferred an All-Black haka like warm-up strut.
Master of Ceremonies Charlie Collins played the joker in the pack as he included in the visiting line-up Jesper Blomqvist who was most certainly not in town.
Smartest
But the smartest move prior to kick-off came from a rascally tiny Manchester United fan who evaded the security cordon and burly minders to spring onto the pitch, camera in hand, and prevail upon United skipper Roy Keane to pose for him.,
Watching from the stand as the Mexican wave got underway, orchestrated by Collins, was Mr Adam Ingram, Northern Ireland Minister of Security and Mo Mowlam's Deputy, Catch-phrases' Roy Walker and Omagh District Council Chairman Mr. Allan Rainey, sporting a United baseball cap.
Once again, spectators took to the roofs of nearby houses and one group of supporters claimed a special vantage point as they clambered upon a handily parked - out of service - fire brigade.
After an impeccably observed one-minute silence, the game kicked off ten minutes late, but it was worth the wait as Teddy Sheringham banged in four goals.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/094
Published Date: 04-Aug-99
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