Manchester United won the match 9-0, but there were no sore losers at the result between the triple champions and the Co Tyrone home side in Omagh last night.

With the first anniversary of the August 15th, "Real IRA" bombing in the town approaching, the visit by the "treble winners" lifted hearts, just as the Mexican wave travelling around St Julian's Road lifted hands into the air.

The sell-out match was one of the last big efforts to raise money for the Omagh victims' fund. The 7.15 p.m. kick-off was delayed for 20 minutes to allow 7,000 people to get seated. Gridlock in the town saw people abandoning their cars to stroll to the grounds.

Club manager Sir Alex Ferguson was swamped by autograph hunters as he went on to the pitch. He happily signed every one before making his way to Ms Claire Gallagher, the teenager who lost her sight in last year's bombing.

Sir Alex said: "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 fundraising event."

The crowd observed a minute silence in memory of the 29 people who died in the bomb attack.

Half an hour into the match and it was two-nil to the visitors, but the steely resolve of Omagh town battled on determined to score. It was not to be.

There was tight security at the team's hotel, where a gala dinner was held. Young fans gathered for a glimpse of their soccer heroes. Andy Cole, Denis Irwin, Gary Neville, David May and Teddy Sheringham were all there, as was Roy Keane. David Beckham and Ryan Giggs did not make the trip due to injury.

At the end of the match the Manchester United team did a lap of honour parading this year's trophies - the Premiership trophy, the FA Cup and the European Champions' League Cup.