UNITED STARS SHINE BRIGHT FOR OMAGH
United Stars shine bright for Omagh
By BARRY O'DONNELL
The mighty Reds from Old Trafford 'United' as one with the people of Omagh on Tuesday evening as fantasy football again came to 'Town'.
Six days after the visit of West London giants Chelsea, the ultimate Goliath in world football, Manchester United, arrived to play Omagh Town in a special friendly match in aid of the Memorial Fund.
Sir Alex Ferguson's all conquering side have experienced many memorable nights over the last decade, in much vaster and more exalted footballing stadia than St.Julian's Road, but even they will have been moved and humbled at the warmth of the reception from 7,000 welcoming fans.
United's recently knighted boss promised in advance that he would field a large quota of his historic treble winning squad and he was certainly true to his word.
Andy Cole, David May, Teddy Sheringham, Gary Neville and Irish internationals Denis Irwin and Roy Keane were among the Red Devils contingent starting, thrilling the crowd with a power-packed and stylish display to run out 9-0 winners.
And the post-match parade of the trophies they lifted so memorably last season provided a glittering coup de grace to an unforgettable occasion, as the faithful paid homage to their illustrious visitors.
With Town's tiny ground packed to the rafters, hundreds of frustrated supporters outside, who couldn't get tickets, clambered onto surrounding roofs, fences and even a stationery fire engine to catch a glimpse of the action.
Master of Ceremonies Charlie Collins tried gallantly to get the assembling crowd to join in a chorus of ManU chants, which were being pumped out over the P.A. system, but the majority of fans were too busy gawking in admiration at United's superstars warming up on the pitch.
Sir Alex was mobbed by autograph hunters when he arrived at pitch side prior to kick-off but he took special time out to have words with several of the victims of last August's bombing atrocity, including Claire Gallagher and Donna-Marie McGillion.
The manager said that he and his squad felt privileged to be in Omagh to lend support to the victims of the blast.
"I am only sorry that the reason for our trip over this time is tinged with such extreme sadness and suffering, but we are nevertheless delighted to be providing the opposition for this fund-raising event."
One section of the main stand was given over to relatives of the deceased, the injured as well as the emergency services who were on duty that fateful day.
Also present in the directors box was Adam Ingram, the NI Security Minister, former United legend Pat Crerand, and ex-World Snooker champion Alex Higgins, who is currently battling against throat cancer. The former golden boy of the green baize was warmly embraced by several United stars and Alex Ferguson when he greeted them.
Just before kick-off the two teams, as well as club officials and the throngs of Red hordes in attendance, bowed their heads for a minute's silent reflection in memory of the Omagh bomb victims.
Once the action got underway United were quickly into their stride, with the evidently awestruck Town part-time opponents pinching themselves in disbelief. Sheringham touched in a Luke Chadwick cross after just thirty seconds to begin the onslaught.
Goal king Andy Cole, no stranger to Omagh of course having visited the town late last year to initiate a youth tournament, got his toe to mis-hit Irwin shot, to make it two on six minutes.
The crowd, not to mention a delighted Ferguson, were delighted to see captain Roy Keane included in the line-up, his first appearance in the United colours since damaging his ankle in the F.A. Cup Final last May.
Promising full-back Michael Clegg produced a diving header from a Greening corner to make it three just before the half-hour mark, while further goals before the break from Sheringham, Cole and Clegg, left United well on target to surpass Chelsea's tally of eight from last week.
They eventually succeeded in that feat but were made to battle much harder by a spirited Town side in the second half.
Sheringham tapped in a brace to bring his total for the evening up to four while Omagh midfielder Mark Wilson can at least brag to his mates that he scored a goal for the legendary Manchester United, although unfortunately it was at the wrong end of the field.
Despite being on the end of a nine-goal drubbing a smiling Omagh boss Roy McCreadie stated afterwards that it had still been a fantastic night.
"I probably asked for trouble, but the fans certainly enjoyed it. What a fantastic night for the town. Everyone had come out to enjoy themselves and did. It has all been so very worthwhile; it has even surpassed my wildest dreams."
Afterwards the most prestigious trophy in world club football, the European Cup, as well as the most historic, the F.A. Cup, and the magnificent Premiership crown, were paraded around the humble environs of St. Julian's Road.
The jubilant reactions of supporters in each corner of the ground showed that on this particular night the town which has known such devastation and grief was for once wearing a beaming smile.
By BARRY O'DONNELL
The mighty Reds from Old Trafford 'United' as one with the people of Omagh on Tuesday evening as fantasy football again came to 'Town'.
Six days after the visit of West London giants Chelsea, the ultimate Goliath in world football, Manchester United, arrived to play Omagh Town in a special friendly match in aid of the Memorial Fund.
Sir Alex Ferguson's all conquering side have experienced many memorable nights over the last decade, in much vaster and more exalted footballing stadia than St.Julian's Road, but even they will have been moved and humbled at the warmth of the reception from 7,000 welcoming fans.
United's recently knighted boss promised in advance that he would field a large quota of his historic treble winning squad and he was certainly true to his word.
Andy Cole, David May, Teddy Sheringham, Gary Neville and Irish internationals Denis Irwin and Roy Keane were among the Red Devils contingent starting, thrilling the crowd with a power-packed and stylish display to run out 9-0 winners.
And the post-match parade of the trophies they lifted so memorably last season provided a glittering coup de grace to an unforgettable occasion, as the faithful paid homage to their illustrious visitors.
With Town's tiny ground packed to the rafters, hundreds of frustrated supporters outside, who couldn't get tickets, clambered onto surrounding roofs, fences and even a stationery fire engine to catch a glimpse of the action.
Master of Ceremonies Charlie Collins tried gallantly to get the assembling crowd to join in a chorus of ManU chants, which were being pumped out over the P.A. system, but the majority of fans were too busy gawking in admiration at United's superstars warming up on the pitch.
Sir Alex was mobbed by autograph hunters when he arrived at pitch side prior to kick-off but he took special time out to have words with several of the victims of last August's bombing atrocity, including Claire Gallagher and Donna-Marie McGillion.
The manager said that he and his squad felt privileged to be in Omagh to lend support to the victims of the blast.
"I am only sorry that the reason for our trip over this time is tinged with such extreme sadness and suffering, but we are nevertheless delighted to be providing the opposition for this fund-raising event."
One section of the main stand was given over to relatives of the deceased, the injured as well as the emergency services who were on duty that fateful day.
Also present in the directors box was Adam Ingram, the NI Security Minister, former United legend Pat Crerand, and ex-World Snooker champion Alex Higgins, who is currently battling against throat cancer. The former golden boy of the green baize was warmly embraced by several United stars and Alex Ferguson when he greeted them.
Just before kick-off the two teams, as well as club officials and the throngs of Red hordes in attendance, bowed their heads for a minute's silent reflection in memory of the Omagh bomb victims.
Once the action got underway United were quickly into their stride, with the evidently awestruck Town part-time opponents pinching themselves in disbelief. Sheringham touched in a Luke Chadwick cross after just thirty seconds to begin the onslaught.
Goal king Andy Cole, no stranger to Omagh of course having visited the town late last year to initiate a youth tournament, got his toe to mis-hit Irwin shot, to make it two on six minutes.
The crowd, not to mention a delighted Ferguson, were delighted to see captain Roy Keane included in the line-up, his first appearance in the United colours since damaging his ankle in the F.A. Cup Final last May.
Promising full-back Michael Clegg produced a diving header from a Greening corner to make it three just before the half-hour mark, while further goals before the break from Sheringham, Cole and Clegg, left United well on target to surpass Chelsea's tally of eight from last week.
They eventually succeeded in that feat but were made to battle much harder by a spirited Town side in the second half.
Sheringham tapped in a brace to bring his total for the evening up to four while Omagh midfielder Mark Wilson can at least brag to his mates that he scored a goal for the legendary Manchester United, although unfortunately it was at the wrong end of the field.
Despite being on the end of a nine-goal drubbing a smiling Omagh boss Roy McCreadie stated afterwards that it had still been a fantastic night.
"I probably asked for trouble, but the fans certainly enjoyed it. What a fantastic night for the town. Everyone had come out to enjoy themselves and did. It has all been so very worthwhile; it has even surpassed my wildest dreams."
Afterwards the most prestigious trophy in world club football, the European Cup, as well as the most historic, the F.A. Cup, and the magnificent Premiership crown, were paraded around the humble environs of St. Julian's Road.
The jubilant reactions of supporters in each corner of the ground showed that on this particular night the town which has known such devastation and grief was for once wearing a beaming smile.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1292
Published Date: 05-Aug-99
Related Images
