CELTIC 3 CITY 1
Friendly at Tolka Park, Dublin
19th July 1992
attendance 10,000
scorers
City Sheron(77)
Celtic Coyne(63), Morris(66)
City Margetson, I Brightwell, Pointon, Flitcroft, Curle, Vonk, White, Sheron, Brennan, Simpson, McMahon – Subs Quigley(45), Reid(65) D Brightwell(75), Redmond(79)
Celtic Marshall, Morris, Boyd, Galloway, Mowbray, Gillespie, O’Neil, McStay, Creaney, Nicholas, Collins – Subs Coyne(60), Wdowczyk(65), Grant(75), Miller(77) Whyte(unused), Fulton(unused), Bonner(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
JOHN MARTIN WRITING IN THE IRISH INDEPENDANT 20TH JULY 1992
A sharper and altogether more cohesive Glasgow Celtic defeated Manchester City to win the inaugural Bord Gais challenge Tournament at Tolka Park yesterday.
Following victories for both sides over the local League Stars selection, this was effectively the final. And while the two earlier matches had attracted disappointing attendances, this pairing caught the public imagination to the extent that 10,000 turned up.
Perhaps because of Garda resources having to be shared with nearby Croke Park and the soccer crowd exceeding expectations, security outside the ground was not up to the usual high standard.
Whoever was to blame in such situations, young people, who were quite clearly minors, Were consuming cans of alcohol in the vicinity of Tolka Park. And inside there was no segregation of fans and about 30 City supporters found themselves marooned in a green and white sea.
A Union Jack flag seemed to be the immediate cause of the trouble and only quick action on the part of the stewards and Gardai saw a potentially volatile situation defused.
Locals among the Celtic followers were disappointed to learn that Packie Bonner had been again replaced in goal by Gordon Marshall.
But Republic of Ireland watchers were amply compensated when International new boy Tommy Coyne, a second half substitute, and the established Chris Morris contributed two of the goals.
The downgrading of Bonner for this more serious assignment (he had played against the League of Ireland selection) would seem to underline that manager Liam Brady will continue to favour Marshall when the Scottish season starts next month.
Morris was withdrawn late in this game. Brady explained later that it was no more than a precaution because the right back had complained of a sore ankle.
Brady is pleased with the way that the side is shaping, although he conceded that their earlier start to training would have given them the edge over City.
His European Championship exploits with Scotland have certainly not impaired Paul McStay’s confidence and he and Mike Galloway dominated the middle of the park. After 32 minutes, Galloway found Charlie Nicholas and, with characteristic cheek, he side-stepped Keith Curle and chipped goalkeeper Martin Margetson from outside the area.
The City defence was again in a muddle when Coyne netted from close range after 69 minutes. Two minutes later Morris came in from the right and his long-range drive to the far corner of the net gave Margetson no chance.
Brady probably would have been less happy with his defence when City player manager, Peter Reid ran into the Celtic area before laying off the ball for Mike Sheron to score in the 84th minute.
