The Reisser Cup

 

Celtic Legends v Manchester Utd Legends

 REIGNING champions Manchester Utd relinquished their crown on Friday evening as Celtic came to town and claimed the 2010 Reisser Cup. Played in glorious conditions at a pristine Leah Victoria Park, the Scottish kingpins had that extra bit of fitness and class to see off the red devils.

2010 Reisser Cup

Celtic Legends 4
Brian McLoughlin 21m, Andy Walker 38m & 54m, Tommy Johnson 45m

Manchester Utd Legends 3
Ben Thornley 5m, Deniel Graham 11m, Clayton Blackmore 26m


The 2009 Reisser cup saw the Man Utd legends defeat a selection of Irish sport stars but this year the extra mile was travelled to secure the services of some of the greatest players to ever don the green and white hooped shirt. Also of extra importance was the game itself been played in memory of one the players that took part in last year's game, the late Ronnie Walsh. Ronnie was a friend to many and a legend to all and the sizeable crowd in attendance marked his memory with a round of applause before the game. There was a party atmosphere in Leah Victoria Park with outdoor bars, food stands and even a few ballads from the legendary Best Foot Forward to get the crowd into the swing of things.

MC Eddie Dowling gave the crowd his own unique match commentary during the game and kept the entertainment levels high at all times. The main benefactor of the evening's financial success was Dochas, the Offaly Cancer support group which helps countless people each year and in truly is a well deserving charity.
The match itself was eagerly anticipated and as the teams paraded onto the field, the crowd settled in for a night of great entertainment. One notable absentee from the Celtic line up was Neil Lennon who had to stay behind in Celtic for negotiations on the vacant manager's position at the club.

Both sides started off the game in the all familiar 'keep ball' routine with neither looking too likely to run out of steam anytime soon. Man Utd started the brightest as Ben Thornley, wearing the number 11 shirt was showing glimpses of his talent that was cut short in his hay day through injury. Irish Legends Alan McLoughlin and Liam O'Brien were holding the midfield together for the Manchester men with David May looking assured at the back. The crowd didn't have to wait long for the opening goal as with only five minutes on the clock a lovely move involving Mike Duxberry, Liam O'Brien and Clayton Blackmore resulted in Blackmore teeing up Ben Thornley to drive low past Packie Bonner in the Celtic goal.

Celtic struggled to make any clear cut chances but did have a few half chances with Darren Jackson and the impressive Brian McLoughlin getting a good supply up to the energetic Tommy Johnson. Try as they may, the chances were just falling a lot easier to Man Utd and they had the ball in the net again on 11 minutes when a super ball over the top by Clayton Blackmore was latched on to by Deniel Graham and his driving run and shot found its way to the net despite the best efforts of Johan Mjallby and Packie Bonner.

It looked as though it might turn in to a rout but Celtic had other ideas and whether it was a ploy or not; they held their energies for the second half. Before we reached half time in this half an hour aside game, we saw two more goals of the highest quality. Celtic got a lifeline when they hit the net on 21 minutes against the run of play when super build up play resulted in Brian McLoughlin deafly chipping over the helpless Frazier Digby in the United goal. It was now game on and United were coming under the cosh. Tommy Boyd went close from distance and Tommy Johnson mis fired from close range before disaster struck for Celtic. In typical United fashion, with four minutes left in the first half a raid down the right by Mike Duxberry provided the platform for Deniel Graham to cross in front of goal where Clayton Blackmore was on hand to first time to the net and restore United's two goal cushion going in to half time.
Both sides made a few changes in the second half with the evergreen Damien Fox coming into the United goals and what a half of football he had. More known for his hurling skills, the Tullamore net-minder pulled off numerous top drawer saves throughout the game and thoroughly enjoyed his evening. It was all Celtic in the second half as United's exerts in the first half meant they ran out of steam very early in the second half. Andy Walker bagged for the Celts with eight minutes gone in the second half as he benefited from a quick free taken by Brian McLoughlin.

The pressure was continuous at this stage and Damien Fox was earning his keep and saved the blushes of the former professionals in front of him on numerous occasions. He could only keep them out for so long though, as on 45 minutes the sides drew level. Man of the Match Darren Jackson skipped by two or three defenders down the right wing and as he crossed in to the danger area, Tommy Johnson was on hand to steer the ball past 'the gift' in the Man Utd goal.

With less than 15 minutes left in the game, penalties looked a likely outcome but not to be outdone on their maiden trip to the Reisser Cup, Celtic finished off a dramatic comeback by netting the winner four minutes from time. Darren Jackson was again involved as his thunder bolt from 30 yards was amazingly kept out by Damien Fox but the rebound fell to Andy Walker and he made no mistake in netting his second of the game to help his Celtic team of legends triumph 4-3 and in the process claim the coveted Reisser Cup.

Celtic: Packie Bonner, Tommy Boyd, Johan Mjallby, Davie Elliot, Mark McNally, Brian O'Neill, Brian McLoughlin, Darren Jackson, Paul Byrne, Tommy Johnson, Andy Walker. Subs: Tony McCormack and Fra Mollin (Tullamore)

Manchester Utd: Frazier Digby, Mike Duxberry, David May, Derek Brazil, Arthur Albiston, Clayton Blackmore, Alan McLoughlin, Liam O'Brien, Ben Thornley, Deniel Graham, Peter Davenport Subs: Russell Beardsmore and Damien Fox
 

 

  

 

Friday, 4th June, 2010, Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore.

Kick-off 7.00 pm. Admission €10.

Tickets available from the Clubhouse or ring 086 1966522.

17/05/10 

More Legends Announced For Reisser Cup

Tullamore Town are delighted to confirm the inclusion of Neil Lennon in the Celtic Legends team for next weeks game against the Manchester United Legends. Along with Packie Bonner, Tom Boyd, Johan Mjallby and Tommy Johnson the names of Andy Walker, Tosh McKinlay, Darren Jackson and Stuart Kerr have also been added to ensure a star studded lineup on the night.  Tickets for the game are €10 each and are available from the clubhouse or by ringing Leslie Francis at 086 1966522.

10/05/10 

Tullamore Town FC are delighted to host the second in the series of Reisser Cup Legends fixtures. Last seasons game between Manchester United and an Irish Legends selection drawn from Soccer, GAA and Rugby circles proved to be enormously successful and the undoubted highlight of the club’s year. With Celtic providing the opposition this time there is sure to be tremendous interest among the sporting public. A particular feature of last seasons game was the number of young people in attendance, no doubt nurtured on stories from their football mad fathers. They were certainly not disappointed as United fielded a team of instantly recognisable names in what turned out to be a highly competitive game. Once again taking on the dual role of player/manager will be Arthur Albiston, who with 485 appearances between 1974 and 1988, is the tenth longest serving player in United’s history. An FA Cup winner in 1977, 1983 and 1985 he was also capped 14 times for Scotland. Captaining the side will be the redoubtable Frank Stapleton who in an illustrious career clocked up 300 appearances for Arsenal and 365 for United, amassing 71 international caps for Ireland in the process. Having scored in the 1979 Cup Final against United, who else, he went on to make history in 1983 when he netted against Brighton for United and became the first player to score in two FA Cup Finals for two different clubs. As well as lifting The Reisser Cup last season, Frank also displayed his versatility the following day when he won first prize in a golf tournament in Tullamore Golf Club. Lee Martin will feel particularly at home in this fixture as following his 108 appearances for United he joined Celtic in 1994, but unfortunately within months of his arrival he suffered a broken leg which brought his career to a premature end. Also lining out for The Reds will be David May, Andy Ritchie, Peter Davenport and Clayton Blackmore.

For the many Celtic supporters scattered around the Midlands there will also be much to savour. The legendary Packie Bonner, who was Jock Stein’s last signing, will be on duty between the posts. Between 1978 and 1995 he made 642 appearances for The Hoops, winning 5 League titles, 4 Cups and 1 League Cup. But it is for his never to be forgotten display in Ireland’s 1-0 win over England in Euro ’88 in Stuttgart that he will always be remembered by the Irish public. Holder of 80 international caps he is currently Technical Director with the FAI and is a much loved and admired figure in footballing circles. Also lining out will be Tom Boyd who, after Billy McNeill, became only the second Celtic captain to lift three trophies in one season when they won the treble in 2001. He also had the distinction of captaining Celtic to their first League title in ten years in 1998, thus preventing bitter rivals Rangers from securing a record breaking ten in a row. Tom is the fifth most capped Scottish player in history with 72 international appearances and is currently coach of the Celtic Under-17 side. Another treble winner on display will be Swedish international Johan Mjallby who plied his trade with The Hoops between 1998 and 2004. Johan also played in the thrilling 2003 UEFA Cup Final against Porto when they were narrowly beaten 3-2. Tommy Johnson will be another blast from the past for many Celtic fans. Tommy had the unusual distinction of playing under five different managers during his five year tenure between 1997 and 2001. It is for his scoring exploits that he is most remembered, scoring in the 2000 League Cup Final against Aberdeen and netting the title clinching goal in Celtic’s treble winning season in 2001.

 

 

Following the match there will be live music, food and bar facilities available.

While the evening is certain to be a most enjoyable occasion it will also be tinged with sadness as tributes are paid to Ronnie Walsh in whose memory the game is being played. Ronnie lined out for the Irish Legends in this fixture last season and his sudden death earlier this year shocked the entire community.

Finally, Tullamore Town would like to thank local businessmen Derek Woodnut and Stephen O’Connor of D&S Hardware for all the work they have done behind the scenes in making this event a reality.