OMAGH TOWN RESUME ACTION AFTER TRAUMATIC TIME
Omagh Town resume action after traumatic time
TRIP TO BALLYMENA WILL BE EMOTIONAL OCCASION
AFTER THE emotionally draining events of the last twelve days or so Omagh Town attempt to get their season back on track tomorrow night (Fri) when they resume their league campaign away to Ballymena United.
Sporting activities have quite rightly been placed out on the backburner over the last week, with Town's game against Newry one of hundreds of fixtures within the district postponed as a mark of respect for the bereaved and injured.
The manager and many of the Town players attended last Saturday's Remembrance Service in Omagh and like everyone was touched by what he observed and heard.
"It was a very moving day for everyone and a very sombre experience. The town of Omagh has been through a very tragic event and the club had also been affected. Nobody wanted to play football last week but now we have to get back to it."
McCreadie stated that the players had spoken at a subsequent training session about their reaction to the outage and he felt it had strengthened their resolve to give their all in representing the town this season.
"Everybody has written us off and its true to say that we have lost three or four quality players but we are going out to prove them all wrong. The same things were being written last year but we managed to stay up and we will attempt to do the same this season."
The rest of the clubs in the Irish League stood in silence for a minute before last Saturday's games as a mark of respect for the Omagh dead and a similar reflection will also be observed tomorrow night at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
McCreadie points out that having paid their respects to the victims of the atrocity, the players had to focus on matters in hand, namely the battle for three league points.
"No doubt we will receive a warm welcome when we go out but after the minute's silence we will be left to our own devices. We can expect no sympathy on a playing front from Ballymena. They will be battling for victory so our players have to be on their mettle."
Following their opening day loss to Glentoran McCreadie realises that it is important Town accrue some points from the Ballymena game and the first home league match which follows next Tuesday night against Crusaders.
"It is vitally important that we stay in the pack. We cannot afford to trail behind the rest of the field which happened last year to Ards.
Looking at the league it could well be ourselves and Crusaders battling at the bottom so that will be a vital game."
McHUGH SITUATION
At least Town are able to focus solely on football affairs now that the threat of a protracted legal wrangle over the services of striker Michael McHugh have been resolved.
On Monday the Ramelton man was finally granted international clearance from the IFA to play for Derry City after the two sides in the dispute managed to reach a compromise.
The Town boss explained that an amicable settlement had been struck last Friday following a prolonged tug-of-war for the ace marksman's services which had included two hearings at Belfast High Court.
McCreadie did not reveal the specifics of the deal and only added that the matter had been resolved satisfactorily from both clubs point of view.
"The situation could have been handled much better, especially by Derry City but thankfully things have worked out okay in the end and we will not now face a lengthy court battle," stated the St.Julian's Road chief.
"We are obviously unhappy to lose a player of the calibre of Michael McHugh. He has always conducted his business on and off the pitch in a thoroughly professional manner and I've no doubt he will do well at Derry City."
For Friday night's trip to Ballymena McCreadie is able to call upon the services of experienced full-back Stephen Johnston who has served out his one match suspension, while also added to the squad this week are Martin McGinley, a 25-year old midfielder picked up from Fanad Utd, and striker Damien Sweeney (22), who had been plying his trade with Coleraine.
TRIP TO BALLYMENA WILL BE EMOTIONAL OCCASION
AFTER THE emotionally draining events of the last twelve days or so Omagh Town attempt to get their season back on track tomorrow night (Fri) when they resume their league campaign away to Ballymena United.
Sporting activities have quite rightly been placed out on the backburner over the last week, with Town's game against Newry one of hundreds of fixtures within the district postponed as a mark of respect for the bereaved and injured.
The manager and many of the Town players attended last Saturday's Remembrance Service in Omagh and like everyone was touched by what he observed and heard.
"It was a very moving day for everyone and a very sombre experience. The town of Omagh has been through a very tragic event and the club had also been affected. Nobody wanted to play football last week but now we have to get back to it."
McCreadie stated that the players had spoken at a subsequent training session about their reaction to the outage and he felt it had strengthened their resolve to give their all in representing the town this season.
"Everybody has written us off and its true to say that we have lost three or four quality players but we are going out to prove them all wrong. The same things were being written last year but we managed to stay up and we will attempt to do the same this season."
The rest of the clubs in the Irish League stood in silence for a minute before last Saturday's games as a mark of respect for the Omagh dead and a similar reflection will also be observed tomorrow night at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
McCreadie points out that having paid their respects to the victims of the atrocity, the players had to focus on matters in hand, namely the battle for three league points.
"No doubt we will receive a warm welcome when we go out but after the minute's silence we will be left to our own devices. We can expect no sympathy on a playing front from Ballymena. They will be battling for victory so our players have to be on their mettle."
Following their opening day loss to Glentoran McCreadie realises that it is important Town accrue some points from the Ballymena game and the first home league match which follows next Tuesday night against Crusaders.
"It is vitally important that we stay in the pack. We cannot afford to trail behind the rest of the field which happened last year to Ards.
Looking at the league it could well be ourselves and Crusaders battling at the bottom so that will be a vital game."
McHUGH SITUATION
At least Town are able to focus solely on football affairs now that the threat of a protracted legal wrangle over the services of striker Michael McHugh have been resolved.
On Monday the Ramelton man was finally granted international clearance from the IFA to play for Derry City after the two sides in the dispute managed to reach a compromise.
The Town boss explained that an amicable settlement had been struck last Friday following a prolonged tug-of-war for the ace marksman's services which had included two hearings at Belfast High Court.
McCreadie did not reveal the specifics of the deal and only added that the matter had been resolved satisfactorily from both clubs point of view.
"The situation could have been handled much better, especially by Derry City but thankfully things have worked out okay in the end and we will not now face a lengthy court battle," stated the St.Julian's Road chief.
"We are obviously unhappy to lose a player of the calibre of Michael McHugh. He has always conducted his business on and off the pitch in a thoroughly professional manner and I've no doubt he will do well at Derry City."
For Friday night's trip to Ballymena McCreadie is able to call upon the services of experienced full-back Stephen Johnston who has served out his one match suspension, while also added to the squad this week are Martin McGinley, a 25-year old midfielder picked up from Fanad Utd, and striker Damien Sweeney (22), who had been plying his trade with Coleraine.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0614
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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