Former Omagh Town secretary recalls historic Budweiser Cup triumph 30 years on

THE former secretary of Omagh Town Football Club Pat McGlinchey says that 30 years on he can still see the images of fans celebrating the club’s sensational Budweiser Cup triumph.

The Omagh club, which folded in June 2005 due to financial troubles, defeated red hot favourites Linfield 3-1 in an historic and unforgettable showpiece final at the Oval on December 4, 1991.

The highly-fancied Blues took a third minute lead through legendary striker Martin McGaughey but Omagh stormed back to claim their one and only major trophy after goals by Declan McColgan, Harry McCourt and Martin Woodhead.

Linfield striker Stephen Baxter, the current manager of Crusaders, crucially missed a 52nd minute penalty and Woodhead’s goal provided the coup de grace on what was a truly magical night for all connected with the St Julian’s Road club.

Former secretary McGlinchey can still vividly recall the scenes of celebration and jubilation following the final whistle.

“It brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people,” he said.

“I can still see the photograph (see right) of Ivan Sproule senior (deceased) and his mate hanging on the fence and roaring their heads off when the final whistle went.

“Things like that come into my head not just the happenings on the pitch.

“It put Omagh Town on the map. We would won the North West Senior Cup maybe five or six times during that decade but that became par for the course.

“Winning the Budweiser made people sit up and take notice – that this wee club could go up and compete with the best and beat Linfield. Not financially, but it set the club up for a while.”

As for the game itself, Linfield ruled the roost in terms of possession but it was Omagh who picked off their opponents with deadly effect.

McGlinchey, who has floated the idea of a Town reunion next year, recalls the key role played by player-manager Roy McCreadie.

“Roy had just been in the job three months and he had brought a senior trophy to the Town,” he continued.

“It was known as the Budweiser Cup that McCreadie played in and refereed! Woodhead’s goal was also something special – he’s been living off the glory of it ever since!

“We got back to Omagh and celebrated all night. There was a bus load of Linfield supporters who had travelled out of Omagh that night and when they returned they too came to the Omagh Town Social Club and celebrated with us – that was great to see.”