SHELBOURNE 1 CITY 4
Friendly
14th August 1990
attendance 4,500
Scorers
City Hendry(31), Quinn(50), Allen(70), Redmond(82)
Shelbourne Neville(68 pen)
Ref O Cooney
City Coton, Brightwell, Pointon, Harper, Hendry, Reid, White, Lake, Ward, Quinn, Heath – Subs Fleming(45), Allen(58), Redmond(58), Brennan(58)
Shelbourne J Byrne, Reynolds, Neville, Duffy, Whelan, Hill, Keenan, P Byrne, Browne, Dully, Newe – Subs Flanagan(66), P Byrne(72), Flood(72), Fitzgerald(83), Davis(83)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
JOHN MARTIN WRITING IN THE IRISH INDEPENDANT 15TH AUGUST 1990
St Patrick’s Athletic officials will today meet Howard Kendall to discuss the transfer of Curtis Fleming to Manchester City.
This follows the sensational appearance of the League of Ireland champions’ right back in the Manchester City colours in the friendly against Shelbourne at Tolka Park last night.
It was billed as the homecoming of Republic of Ireland World Cup hero Niall Quinn and, while the Dubliner did get on the scoresheet, it was the presence of Fleming in the Blues dug-outs which set the 4,500 crowd talking.
Fleming came on at half time for Ian Brightwell and, given the circumstances that he was playing alongside unfamiliar colleagues, he showed enough of his sound defensive and imaginative instincts to impress Kendall.
Regarded as one of the most astute judges in the game and one of the most respected managers in the English League, Kendall spoke later of his interest in Fleming: “We knew about him having a trial at Oldham and, as we were told that no deal had been finalised, we naturally took this opportunity to see the player. Of course, it is difficult to say much after only half a match. But he certainly has a career in the game.” By way of emphasis, Kendall added: “He’s a good player.”
The Manchester manager had brief word later with his Saint Patrick’s, Athletic counterpart, Brian Kerr, who said I would stress that there was no deal with Oldham. We will talk with Manchester City today.
Fleming was just a little upset at having given away the 68 minute penalty from which Michael Neville scored Shelbourne’s only goal. The Manchester City ‘guest’ was penalised for taking down Padraig Dully.
The Reds’ Ray Duffy did well to contain Niall Quinn in the first half. Quinn and Colin Hendry arrived almost simultaneously to meet Mark Ward’s 31st minute cross and Hendry was credited with the header that beat Jody Byrne.
But Quinn was not to be denied and he flicked in a ball in the 50th minute in a style reminiscent of a more famous night in Palermo.
Clive Allen and Steve Redmond completed the scores for City Side which looked as sharp as any which has played here in recent weeks.