It was almost a full house today in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as a selection of Man United, Celtic and Ireland legends played out an entertaining a 2-2 in the Liam Miller tribute match.
Denis Irwin opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 19 minutes after Nicky Butt took a tumble in the Celtic/Ireland box following a Johan Mjalby challenge:
WATCH:
Denis Irwin puts @ManUtd legends ahead from the penalty spot at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The #LiamMillerTribute match is live on Virgin Media Three & #VMSport. pic.twitter.com/ZdtJcWkeVa
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 25, 2018
The United legends would double their advantage through Louis Saha later in the first half, the striker breaking from midfield and outpacing Richard Dunne (imagine that), to finish beyond David Forde:
WATCH:@louissaha doubles @ManUtd's lead in Cork!
The Frenchman was too quick for Richard Dunne...#LiamMillerTribute match is live on Virgin Media Three & #VMSport. pic.twitter.com/010aWG0byA
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 25, 2018
The Celtic and Ireland selection would grab a goal back before half time however, with Robbie Keane cutting inside from the left before firing the ball home past Kevin Pilkington:
WATCH:@FAIreland legend & former @celticfc man Robbie Keane pulls one back for the Ireland/Celtic team here in Cork. ⚽️
The #LiamMillerTribute match is live on Virgin Media Three & #VMSport. pic.twitter.com/oJnP1CMLwF
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 25, 2018
Colin Healy then drew the sides level with a well worked goal, Kevin Doyle chesting the ball to the former Celtic man, who slammed the ball home on the half volley:
WATCH:
Former @celticfc player and @CorkCityFC legend Colin Healy bagged the second for the Ireland/Celtic team at the #LiamMillerTribute game!#VMSport pic.twitter.com/ix7fk0HVKJ
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 25, 2018
With the scores level at full time the game went to penalties, with a rather rotund David May first proving his worth from the spot. A slightly less rotund Andy Reid was up next, skying his penalty into row Z.
Roy Keane then had the chance to put United two up on penalties, but the Ireland assistant manager had his spot kick saved by David Forde. Kevin Doyle then pulled a goal back for Ireland with a delightful paneka.
Nicky Butt then horrendously fluffed his peno to leave the scores level:
Shaun Maloney was up next and duly slotted his spot kick past Mark McNulty, with Louis Saha returning the favour. Ian Harte had his penalty well saved by McNulty to set up the win for the United legends:
Dion Dublin was the man tasked with winning the game for Roy Keane's men and the striker took his chance, sending Forde the wrong way to seal the victory for the Red Devils:
