GOAL KING COLE NETS NEW FANS IN OMAGH
Goal King Cole nets new fans in Omagh
BY: BARRY O'DONNELL
GOAL king Andy Cole 'netted' a whole host of new admirers on Monday when he came to Omagh to offer support and solidarity for the victims of the August 15th bomb blast.
The Manchester United soccer star, in town to carry out a series of engagements, was besieged by enthusiastic fans wherever he went during the course of his day long visit.
The Old Trafford idol was clearly moved by the warmth of the welcome he received, especially during his first port of call at the Tyrone County Hospital where he had a private meeting with many of those injured in the Market Street atrocity.
Cole said it was a very humbling experience to listen as the victims recounted their tales of that fateful summer day and told him how they were setting about rebuilding their shattered lives.
While at the local hospital, the Premiership superstar also chatted with members of the emergency services, including nurse, fire and ambulance staff and police officers, who had all been on duty on the day of the blast. He then visited the children's ward where he posed for photographs and signed autographs for excited youngsters.
The trip to the hospital undoubtedly left an indelible imprint on the striker who has experienced so many memorable moments on the pitch during the course of his glittering playing career to date.
"The reception I received at the Tyrone County Hospital was special and something I will remember throughout my life. Some of the children, hospital and emergency services I met were inspirational for me. I hope my being there helped in some small manner to brighten their day," said the 26-year old afterwards.
Cole's visit marked the fulfillment of a vow he gave on the day of the bombing, an afternoon that was marked by bitter irony.
"On Saturday August 15th at 3pm, I was full of hope for the coming season. Everything in life seemed perfect.
"But at ten past three that day hope had been shattered for the community of Omagh. At that time I was unaware of the horror that had take place."
He continued: "The day of the blast the Omagh Manchester United Supporters Club branch awarded me with the Player of the Year award for last season. It should have been a happy day for me obviously getting the award, but it turned to disappointment.
"They had come so far and then had to turn their thoughts to home to see if friends or relatives had died in the blast.
"So I decided that just as they had appreciated me last season for doing so well for Manchester United, so I decided that the least I could do was to come over and show that I appreciated all of them."
Cole has enjoyed his fair share of sporting triumphs as well as disasters in his career, but he stated that the scale and magnitude of the Omagh tragedy put such things in context.
"People say football is my life and my job but there's much more important things in life than football and this event puts it all in perspective."
Later in the day Omagh Leisure Complex was transformed into the 'Theatre of Dreams' for a couple of hours as local supporters mobbed the Man Utd marksman with requests for signatures and photos.
Among those Cole met were class mates of Oran Doherty and Sean McLaughlin, two of the young children from Buncrana in County Donegal who were killed in the atrocity.
Whilst at the Leisure Centre, the Red Devil donated a trophy, the 'Andrew Cole Perpetual Cup', to inaugurate a soccer tournament for primary school children in the Omagh district.
Sean Curneen, of the Omagh Soccer School for Excellence, accepted it on behalf of Youth Sport Omagh, who will organise the competition in conjunction with the local district council.
Cole stated that he hoped the trophy would become an inspiration to the future generation of Omagh and told his young fans that he wished them a bright and happy New Year.
"I want to thank everyone who has turned up. You made me feel so special on coming to Omagh and I appreciate the turn out.
"You have been through bad times here recently and I hope everything turns around for you. As we look forward to the New Year hopefully it will bring everyone what they are expecting."
He thanked members of the Omagh Manchester United Supporters Club who had" hosted his visit, and especially its secretary, Brendan McLaughlin.
"I hope my visit in some small way can help the community recover for a better afternoon," Cole added.
Brendan McLaughlin was delighted at the reception afforded the Man Utd star and said that the striker was taken aback by the rapturous welcome.
"It has been a brilliant day. All the fans were delighted to meet Andy. He said it was a privilege to come over and that if could bring a smile to people's faces then it had all been worthwhile."
BY: BARRY O'DONNELL
GOAL king Andy Cole 'netted' a whole host of new admirers on Monday when he came to Omagh to offer support and solidarity for the victims of the August 15th bomb blast.
The Manchester United soccer star, in town to carry out a series of engagements, was besieged by enthusiastic fans wherever he went during the course of his day long visit.
The Old Trafford idol was clearly moved by the warmth of the welcome he received, especially during his first port of call at the Tyrone County Hospital where he had a private meeting with many of those injured in the Market Street atrocity.
Cole said it was a very humbling experience to listen as the victims recounted their tales of that fateful summer day and told him how they were setting about rebuilding their shattered lives.
While at the local hospital, the Premiership superstar also chatted with members of the emergency services, including nurse, fire and ambulance staff and police officers, who had all been on duty on the day of the blast. He then visited the children's ward where he posed for photographs and signed autographs for excited youngsters.
The trip to the hospital undoubtedly left an indelible imprint on the striker who has experienced so many memorable moments on the pitch during the course of his glittering playing career to date.
"The reception I received at the Tyrone County Hospital was special and something I will remember throughout my life. Some of the children, hospital and emergency services I met were inspirational for me. I hope my being there helped in some small manner to brighten their day," said the 26-year old afterwards.
Cole's visit marked the fulfillment of a vow he gave on the day of the bombing, an afternoon that was marked by bitter irony.
"On Saturday August 15th at 3pm, I was full of hope for the coming season. Everything in life seemed perfect.
"But at ten past three that day hope had been shattered for the community of Omagh. At that time I was unaware of the horror that had take place."
He continued: "The day of the blast the Omagh Manchester United Supporters Club branch awarded me with the Player of the Year award for last season. It should have been a happy day for me obviously getting the award, but it turned to disappointment.
"They had come so far and then had to turn their thoughts to home to see if friends or relatives had died in the blast.
"So I decided that just as they had appreciated me last season for doing so well for Manchester United, so I decided that the least I could do was to come over and show that I appreciated all of them."
Cole has enjoyed his fair share of sporting triumphs as well as disasters in his career, but he stated that the scale and magnitude of the Omagh tragedy put such things in context.
"People say football is my life and my job but there's much more important things in life than football and this event puts it all in perspective."
Later in the day Omagh Leisure Complex was transformed into the 'Theatre of Dreams' for a couple of hours as local supporters mobbed the Man Utd marksman with requests for signatures and photos.
Among those Cole met were class mates of Oran Doherty and Sean McLaughlin, two of the young children from Buncrana in County Donegal who were killed in the atrocity.
Whilst at the Leisure Centre, the Red Devil donated a trophy, the 'Andrew Cole Perpetual Cup', to inaugurate a soccer tournament for primary school children in the Omagh district.
Sean Curneen, of the Omagh Soccer School for Excellence, accepted it on behalf of Youth Sport Omagh, who will organise the competition in conjunction with the local district council.
Cole stated that he hoped the trophy would become an inspiration to the future generation of Omagh and told his young fans that he wished them a bright and happy New Year.
"I want to thank everyone who has turned up. You made me feel so special on coming to Omagh and I appreciate the turn out.
"You have been through bad times here recently and I hope everything turns around for you. As we look forward to the New Year hopefully it will bring everyone what they are expecting."
He thanked members of the Omagh Manchester United Supporters Club who had" hosted his visit, and especially its secretary, Brendan McLaughlin.
"I hope my visit in some small way can help the community recover for a better afternoon," Cole added.
Brendan McLaughlin was delighted at the reception afforded the Man Utd star and said that the striker was taken aback by the rapturous welcome.
"It has been a brilliant day. All the fans were delighted to meet Andy. He said it was a privilege to come over and that if could bring a smile to people's faces then it had all been worthwhile."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1710
Published Date: 03-Dec-98
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