FAI hopes for big crowd at Omagh fund match

While the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2000 qualifier with Yugoslavia next weekend has been receiving negative publicity for all the right reasons, this afternoon's Omagh Fund friendly with Northern Ireland at Lansdowne Road in Dublin has been struggling to attract attention.

The Football Association of Ireland is hoping that the poor response to advance ticket sales will not prevent a strong crowd from turning up this afternoon in what has the potential to be one of the biggest fund-raising events in the Republic.

The game is being promoted as a family day and the FAI has added further events to help raise as much funds as possible for victims of last summer's Omagh bombing.

The senior international, which kicks off at 3.00 p.m., will be preceded by two curtain raisers, both involving teams from the Republic and the North.

An Under-14 match of 15 minutes each way will begin at 1.00 p.m., followed at 1.40 p.m. by a senior ladies' friendly, also between the two associations.

The Republic of Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy, has promised that this will be a competitive game. "We always want to win no matter what, and I know Northern Ireland won't be coming down to get beaten either," he said.

"It's important for us to get a good tempo and standard in the match with Yugoslavia coming up, and hopefully this game can get the crowd that it deserves."

The players have also agreed to waive their match fees as a contribution towards the fund.

All six Fair Play flag bearers with be from Omagh and the FAI has also sent invitations to all family members and medical workers associated with the atrocity.

The two football associations have selected their mascots, with Christopher Gallagher from Omagh representing the Republic and Anthony Brady from Jobstown in Co Dublin representing the North.

The FAI will have tickets readily available on a walk-up basis from caravans around Lansdowne Road this afternoon, and has suggested that even if people are unable to attend, tickets could be purchased as a direct contribution to the fund.

During half-time in the main game, the chairman of Derry City football club will present a cheque for £50,000 to the fund on behalf of the FAI National League, the proceeds of the Derry City v Mick McCarthy National League XI match held in the Brandywell last October.

Two Englishmen, Mr Steve Lawes and Mr Alan Darbyshire, are walking from Harrogate in England, taking contributions along the way. They will present the money to the fund before the match.