The stories top sport stories that made the headlines

Dec 24 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

January

At Fir Park

Motherwell FC were coming to terms with the tragic loss of their inspirational captain Phil O’Donnell, who collapsed during a league fixture at Fir Park on December 29, 2007.

O’Donnell was preparing to be substituted 13 minutes from time when he collapsed on the edge of the penalty box.

The 35-year-old was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5.18pm.

A postmortem examination was carried out on January 1, 2008, and it was revealed O'Donnell had died of left ventricular failure.

His funeral was on January 4, at St Mary's RC Church in Hamilton.

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown said of Phil: “He was the perfect gentleman; courteous, polite, conscientious, diligent, gave everything to the team, and was a perfect father and husband.”

The Fir Parkers returned to action without O’Donnell against Hearts in the Scottish Cup and came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 thanks to a brace from Chris Porter in the final half hour of the game.

In the replay, an early Ross McCormack penalty secure Motherwell’s passage into the fifth round.

Meanwhile Steven Hammell rejoined the club from Southend and Simon Lappin signed on loan until the end of the season from Norwich.

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Teenage runners from Law and District Athletics Club rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s top cross country runners at the Great Edinburgh International race in Holyrood park.

Nicola Lindsay and Craig Wellcoat were chosen to represent Scotland at under-17 level in the Celtic Counties event which accompanied the main race, despite still being eligible for under-13 events.

But they rose to the challenge, recording identical results of 13th place overall, which made them third Scottish finishers in their respective races.

February

At Fir Park

Motherwell ground staff were working round the clock to re-lay almost a quarter of the saturated Fir Park pitch at a cost of more than £40,000 after the postponement of four successive home games.

However, club officials insisted that the groundsharing agreement with Gretna was not to blame for the condition of the park.

Motherwell crashed out of the Scottish Cup after losing 2-1 to First Division side Dundee.

In the league, they defeated Kilmarnock 1-0 in what was their first league match at Fir Park this year. David Clarkson was the scorer in injury time.

The Fir Parkers also defeated tenants Gretna 3-1 and Inverness by the same scoreline.

But a Stephen Craigan own goal gifted Hearts all three points at Fir Park.

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Wishaw woman Joy O’Brien stepped down as chair of the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils at the organisation’s annual general meeting. She had been in charge for three years.

Joy became the first female chair of SALSC in 2005 and her work for the voluntary organisation took her to international conferences in countries as diverse as Ireland and Slovenia.

March

At Fir Park

Motherwell draw a blank away to Falkirk in a scoreless draw before a late Darren Smith goal rescued a point up at Pittodrie against Aberdeen.

In a rearranged midweek fixture at Hibs, Motherwell slipped to fifth in their pursuit of third place and the coveted UEFA Cup spot.

A second-half strike from Colin Nish saw Hibs leapfrog the Fir Parkers into third spot in the SPL.

Their misery continued when UEFA Cup rivals Dundee United won thanks to two late goals at Tannadice but they got their revenge over the Hibees, winning 1-0 at home.

Mark McGhee also denied suggestions that he was in the frame for the managerial position at Hearts.

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Carluke teenager Graham Stewart was preparing to fly the flag for Scotland after he had received his first national call-up in the sport of indoor bowls.

The 15-year-old, a member of Lanarkshire Indoor Bowling Club, impressed selectors at a series of four trials to win his place in the 12-strong squad to take on Wales in Aberdare in April.

He was chosen to compete in the pairs and triple events at the one-off international, crowning an impressive season in which he became the first junior to win a clean sweep of trophies at the Wishaw club, including the biggest honour of the club championship.

April

At Fir Park

Motherwell produced the shock of the season, beating Celtic 1-0 at Parkhead to give their UEFA Cup chances a massive boost – despite playing with ten men for much of the game after Bob Malcolm was sent off.

On-loan Simon Lappin scored in 33 minutes from a tight angle and that was enough to secure a vital three points.

However, it was not long before the Hoops exacted revenge, thumping Motherwell 4-1 at Fir Park a week later.

A late Lee Wilkie goal denied Motherwell three points against UEFA Cup rivals Dundee United in a poor game that ended 2-2.

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Dalziel Rugby club secured their place in the club’s first ever national cup final after beating Linlithgow in a closely fought Bowl semi-final encounter.

In keeping with their thrilling cup run, the Motherwell club had to come from behind in the clash which was played at Linlithgow’s ground.

Dalziel were 6-0 down at half time but with a strong wind in their favour in the second half they scored two unanswered tries to secure their date with destiny at Murrayfield on May 3.

Winger Vic Czarnocki scored the side’s vital second try.

May

At Fir Park

Motherwell secured their UEFA Cup spot after beating Aberdeen 2-1 at Fir Park.

In the end they needed a slice of luck but who could begrudge them that, give the trials and tribulations experienced by everyone associated with the club during the season.

Darren Smith got the ball rolling on the hour mark before Sone Aluko equalised seven minutes later.

With 10 minutes left, Chris Porter tapped the ball in, his fourth goal in as many games.

Phil Maguire struck the bar in the second minute of stoppage time for Aberdeen before wild celebrations began as it hit home that European football was returning to Fir Park for the first time in 13 years, provided Celtic beat Hibernian the following day, which they duly did.

’Well also dented Rangers’ title ambitions, drawing 1-1 with the Ibrox club before winning their final match of the season at Easter Road, defeating Hibernian 2-0 thanks to Simon Lappin and Jamie Murphy strikes.

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Willie Talbot, the honorary president of Dalziel Rugby Football Club claimed the Motherwell side were determined to get back to Murrayfield - the home of Scottish rugby - and go one better after his team lost in the final of the Hydro Electric Bowl.

Preston Lodge defeated their National League Division One counterparts 18-10 to deny Dalziel their first ever piece of national silverware.

He said: “I think the better team probably won on the day but the boys thoroughly enjoyed it and they gave a good account of themselves.”

June

At Fir Park

Midfielder Marc Fitzpatrick pledged his future to Motherwell.

The 22-year-old made 35 appearances for the Fir Parkers last season and signed a two-year deal that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2010.

Mark Reynolds also committed himself to ’Well after knocking back the chance to join Rangers.

Former Motherwell players Tommy Coyne and Brian Martin backed the Fir Parkers to shine in Europe and Martin predicted that the class of 2008 would make the UEFA Cup group stages.

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A young sprinting sensation smashed a 30-year-old national record at the Scottish Schools Association Championships in Grangemouth.

Lewis Gibb, a member of Motherwell Athletics club, set the new record in the under-15 100 metres event, storming to a gold medal after setting a personal best of 11.60 seconds.

The previous record time for the event had stood since 1977.

On the previous day, Lewis won the under-15 200 metres Scottish title in 23.49 seconds, knocking more than half-a-second off his previous best time.